(A) Such rates and charges shall be prepared, billed, and collected by the city in the manner provided by law and ordinance.
(B) The rates and charges for all users shall be prepared and billed monthly.
(C) The rates and charges may be billed to the tenant or tenants occupying the properties served, unless otherwise requested in writing by the owner, but such billing shall in no way relieve the owner from the liability in the event payment is not made as herein required. The owners of properties served, which are occupied by a tenant or tenants, shall have the right to examine the collection records of the city for the purpose of determining whether bills have been paid by such tenant or tenants, provided that such examination shall be made at the office at which said records are kept and during the hours that such office is open for business.
(D) As is provided by statute, all rates and charges not paid when due are declared to be delinquent, and a penalty of 10% of the rates or charges shall thereupon attach thereto. The time at which such rates or charges shall be paid is now fixed at 15 days after the date of mailing of the bill.
(E) (1) In order that the rates and charges for sewage services may remain fair and equitable and be in proportion to the cost of providing services to the various users of user classes, the city shall cause a study to be made within a reasonable period of time following the first 12 months of operation after the date which this section goes into effect. Such study shall include, but not be limited to, an analysis of the costs associated with the treatment of excessive strength effluents from industrial users or user classes, the financial position of the Wastewater Utility, and the adequacy of its revenue to provide reasonable funds for operation and maintenance, replacements, debt service requirements, and capital improvements to the waste treatment systems.
(2) Thereafter, on an annual basis, within a reasonable period of time following the normal accounting period, the city shall cause a similar study to be made for the purpose of reviewing the fairness and equity of the rates and charges for sewage services on a continuing basis. Said studies shall be conducted by officers or employees of the city, by a firm of certified public accountants, or a firm of consulting engineers, which firms shall have experience in such studies, or by such combination of officers, employees, certified public accountants, or engineers as the city shall determine to be best under the circumstances.
(Ord. 1977-20, passed 11-10-1977; Ord. 2019-25, passed on 5-13-2020)