(A) Rates to be charged for service furnished by the system shall be as follows.
(1) Sewer use charge. Sewer use charges to each single-family residential unit shall be the current approved rate per month. Each premises other than a single-family residence shall pay a monthly charge in the foregoing amount multiplied by the single-family residential equivalent appearing opposite that use as contained in the schedule of residential unit equivalents incorporated in Appx. A (Sewage Usage Rates) of this chapter.
(2) Operation and maintenance charge.
(a) Village operation and maintenance charges to each single-family residential unit shall be as set out in § 50.03(G)(1) of this code.
(b) Each premises other than a single-family residence shall pay a monthly charge in the foregoing amount multiplied by the single-family residential equivalent appearing opposite that use as contained in the schedule of residential equivalents incorporated in Appx. A (Sewage Usage Rates) of this chapter.
(3) Debt service charge. Debt service charges to each single-family residential unit shall be as set out in § 50.03(G)(2) of this code. Each premises other than a single-family residence shall pay a monthly charge in the foregoing amount multiplied by the single-family residential equivalent appearing opposite that use as contained in the schedule of residential equivalents incorporated in Appx. A (Sewage Usage Rates) of this chapter.
(4) Special rates. For miscellaneous or special services for which a special rate shall be established, the rates shall be fixed by the Village Council.
(5) Billing. Bills will be rendered monthly, payable without penalty within 30 days after the date thereon. Payments received after that period shall bear a penalty of 10% of the amount of the bill.
(6) Enforcement. The charges for services which are under the provisions of Public Act 94 of 1933, § 21, being MCL 141.121, as amended, made a lien on all premises served thereby unless notice is given that a tenant is responsible, are hereby recognized to constitute the lien, and whenever any like charge against any piece of property shall be delinquent for six months, the village official or officials in charge of the collection thereof shall certify annually, on September 1 of each year, to the tax assessing officer of the village the facts of the delinquency, whereupon the charge shall be by him or her entered upon the next tax roll as a charge against the premises and shall be collected in the same manner as general village taxes against the premises are collected and the lien thereof enforced; provided, however, where notice is given that a tenant is responsible for the charges and service, as provided by that § 21, no further service shall be rendered the premises until a cash deposit in an amount as set out in the fee schedule in Ch. 39 of this code shall have been made as security for payment of the charges and service.
(B) (1) Disconnection policy. It is the policy of the village to discontinue utility service to customers by reason of nonpayment of bills only after notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard on disputed bills.
(2) Provisions. The village’s form for application for utility service and all bills shall contain, in addition to the title, address, room number and telephone number of the official in charge of billing, clearly visible and easily readable provisions to the effect that:
(a) All bills are due and payable on or before the date set forth on the bill;
(b) If any bill is not paid by or before that date, a second bill will be mailed containing a cutoff notice that if the bill is not paid within ten days of the mailing of the second bill, service will be discontinued for nonpayment; and
(c) Any customer disputing the correctness of his or her bill shall have a right to a hearing, at which time he or she may be represented in person and by counsel, or by any other person of his or her choosing, and may present orally or in writing his or her complaint and contentions to the village official in charge of utility billing. This official shall be authorized to order that the customer’s service not be discontinued and shall have the authority to make a final determination of the customer’s complaint.
1. Requests for delays or waiver of payment will not be entertained; only questions of proper and correct billing will be considered. In the absence of payment of the bill rendered or resort to the hearing procedure provided herein, service will be discontinued at the time specified, but in no event until the charges have been due and unpaid for at least 30 days.
2. When it becomes necessary for the village to discontinue utility service to a customer for nonpayment of bills, service will be reinstated only after all bills for service then due have been paid, along with a turn-on charge as set out in the fee schedule in Ch. 39 of this code.
(Prior Code, § 50.28) (Ord. 22, passed 10-19-1993)