Billings for water and sewer services shall be paid within 20 days from the date of the postmarked date of billing and if not so paid an additional 5% of the amount of the bill shall be added thereto. If the delinquency extends to 50 days from the date of the billing then the City Clerk shall serve notice by ordinary mail that if the amount owed is not paid within 20 days from receipt of the letter, the water service will be discontinued until payment is made in full, including a charge, as indicated in § 54.45 for shutting off and turning on the water service, which under the provisions of Act 94, Public Acts of 1933 of the State of Michigan, as amended, are made a lien on the premises to which furnished, are hereby recognized to constitute such lien; and the city shall annually, on March 1, certify all unpaid charges for such services furnished to any premises, which, on the last day of February preceding, have remained unpaid for a period of six months, to the City Assessor who shall place the same on the next tax roll of the city. Such charges so assessed shall be collected in the same manner as general city taxes. In addition, the city may, at its discretion, require an advance deposit as a protection against possible future delinquencies in an amount not to exceed a reasonable estimate of the two largest consecutive billings. The deposit shall be refunded without interest when the service is discontinued by the depositor, or sooner if decided the deposit is no longer required.
(Ord. 106, passed 4-11-73; Am. Ord. 159, passed 12-21-93)