A. Water And Wastewater Department Budget: The water and wastewater department of the city shall, during the month of June of each year, propose an estimated budget showing the anticipated costs of replacement, repair, maintenance and operation of the municipal water and wastewater systems for the next fiscal year. The previously established water and wastewater connection fund shall continue to be used for the purposes established by the water and wastewater department and approved by the mayor and city council.
B. Annual Calculation Of Fees: The city council shall calculate on an annual basis, or more frequently if deemed necessary by the city council, the monthly water and wastewater user base, bond payment, metered water and irrigation fees, metered wastewater fees, connection fees, and other fees authorized by this chapter to be charged by the city pursuant to the provisions set forth herein. The fees shall be established by a resolution of the city council, duly made, passed and entered into the minutes of the meeting of the city council, and shall become effective upon the date as established within the resolution.
C. Water And Wastewater User Fees; Delinquency And Notice: All water and wastewater user fees shall be due and payable to the city clerk on or before the bill closing date of each month's bill and, upon failure to pay within the time as prescribed, each user shall pay, in addition to the amount due, the sum of two dollars ($4.00) and interest at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum.
D. Discontinuance Of Water/Wastewater Service For Default: All bills for water and wastewater user fees not paid within ten (10) days after the due date shall authorize the city, in addition to its rights and remedies set forth herein, to discontinue the water service to any such defaulting customer after ten (10) days' written notice sent by U.S. mail to the customer. If a customer fails to pay all delinquent fees within the ten (10) day period, the city shall be authorized to disconnect the water service for the customer without further notice and shall assess discontinuance fee as established by resolution against the defaulting customer. Recommencement of water service shall be made following the payment of the discontinuance fee, a recommencement fee as established by resolution, and delinquent water and/or wastewater fees due. Deposits held by the City shall be applied to pay current charges on customer accounts until the deposits are depleted. Should the customer who paid the deposit no longer reside at the address for which the deposit was paid, the deposit shall be refunded to the customer who paid the deposit.
E. Commencement Of Services By Owner: The owner or owner's agent shall request the start of water and wastewater service in writing. This written request shall begin all water and wastewater user fees.
F. Discontinuance Of Services By Owner: Should an owner, or his agent, request a water service to be discontinued, the request shall be made in writing and the city shall discontinue service by closing and locking off the water meter vault. The owner, or his agent, shall pay to the city a service fee as established by city council resolution. The owner or his agent must request, in writing, the city to place the line back in service before the water meter vault valve is reopened. There shall be a service fee as established by city council resolution for reopening the service. During any period of discontinuance, the payment of both the water and wastewater monthly bond payment fees shall continue, while the payment of the water and wastewater user base fees shall not be charged.
G. Landlord/Tenant Agreements: All monthly water or wastewater user fees will be charged against the property where the private water or wastewater service line is installed, except that owners or their authorized agents may, by written request, authorize the city clerk to charge water or wastewater user fees against an occupant, tenant or contract purchaser of specific property. If a preexisting deposit is held by the City, this deposit will be refundable to the depositor, or his agent, at the termination of occupancy with satisfactory identification and upon written request. Any outstanding charges (applicable discontinuance or recommencement fee and delinquent water and/or wastewater fees due up to the date of termination) owed by the tenant will be deducted from the deposit and the balance refunded to the depositor. The deposit shall be refunded within the normal accounts payable process.
H. Water And Wastewater System Funds: All fees received and collected under authority of this chapter shall be deposited and credited to special funds to be designated as the water system fund and the wastewater system fund. The accounts of the funds shall show all receipts and expenditures for the maintenance, operation, upkeep and repair of the municipal water and wastewater systems and any payments into a sinking fund established for the purpose of paying principal of and interest on the water and wastewater bond or note indebtedness of the city, which shall, from time to time, be outstanding. As provided by law, when budgeted and appropriated, the funds and credits to the account of the water and wastewater system(s) shall be available for the payment of the requirements of maintenance, operation, repairs and upkeep of the municipal water and wastewater system, and to the extent legally available, for payment into a sinking fund established for the payment of the principal of and interest on the water and wastewater bond and note indebtedness of the city, which shall, from time to time, be outstanding.
I. Insufficient Funds Checks: An insufficient funds fee shall be assessed to all accounts that have returned payments. The fee for insufficient funds shall be assessed in an amount adopted by city council resolution and consistent with the cost of collection set forth in Idaho Code section 28-22-105, as amended.
J. Administrative Fee For Sale Or Lease Of Property: When there is a sale or conveyance of a property, or a lease of a property resulting in a landlord/tenant agreement, an administrative fee shall be assessed in an amount as adopted by city council resolution.
K. Fee Waiver: A fee waiver for twenty four (24) hour turn on/off for home inspections and plumbing repairs for sale or foreclosure shall be applied as adopted by city council resolution. (Ord. 1273 § 1, 2020; Ord. 1189, 2015; Ord. 1121, 2013; Ord. 1091 §§ 1 - 3, 2011; Ord. 1332, 9-25-2023)