A. In the event payment on water and other utility charges is not timely made, the following procedures shall be conducted:
1. On the first business day following the last day for timely payment, the city treasurer shall add a late charge of one dollar fifty cents ($1.50), which each owner shall pay in addition to the amount of water charges.
2. After the twenty fifth day of the month following billing, the city clerk shall add an additional five dollar ($5.00) late fee and a one percent (1%) charge to the delinquent bill and cause a notice of delinquency to be mailed to each property owner whose utility charges and late charges remain unpaid. The notice of delinquency shall include the name of owner, a statement that the water charges have not been paid, the amount of the payment due, including the late charge, and the date water services will be shut off due to the delinquency. This notice shall be mailed with the current billing or delivered to tenants living on the premises.
3. After the tenth day of the month following mailing or delivery of the notice of delinquency, the city clerk shall cause to be delivered to the premises a second delinquency notice setting forth the date that water service will be discontinued. This notice may be part of a shutoff notice. The second notice of delinquency shall include the following:
a. The name of the owner;
b. A statement that the water charges have not been paid;
c. The amount of all water charges due including late charges;
d. A statement that unless the full amount due is paid, the water service will be discontinued and the water will be shut off.
e. A statement that if the water is shut off it will not be turned on until the past due water charges, including the late charges, plus a charge of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) for reinstatement of water service plus an additional deposit of seventy five dollars ($75.00) as security for the payment of future water charges, have been paid.
4. After five (5) days following delivery of the second notice of delinquency/shutoff, the city clerk shall prepare a list of all owners who have been mailed a second notice of delinquency and who have failed to pay the utility charges and all other charges referenced in such second notice of delinquency. The city clerk shall deliver said list to the maintenance department who shall cause the water service of each owner to be discontinued by shutting off water to the premises.
B. Services will not be reconnected until all fees and required deposits have been paid. The property shall continue to be billed at the regular rate after services have been shut off.
C. If utility services continue unpaid for a period of five (5) months, the owner shall be given notice that services to the premises will be terminated after thirty (30) days and that should services be terminated to the premises, it will be necessary to reconnect services and pay all connection, hookup and capitalization fees, as if the premises were not connected to services. The owner of the premises will be advised of the current rates of those fees.
D. Thirty (30) days after the notice of termination has been mailed, the city council may issue an order terminating services. The order shall advise that the property is not presently served by city utilities. Said order shall be filed with the county recorder to provide notice to any individual considering the purchase of said property. (Ord. 388, 6-3-2003)