(A) All property owners whose properties are receiving sewer service shall be charged a flat rate for the use of sewer service. Rates shall be set by ordinance and shall be on file at the office of the Municipal Clerk for public inspection during office hours. The sewer use charges or rates as established pursuant hereto shall be reviewed by the Mayor and City Council not less than annually, and may be revised periodically according to current use, and actual operation and maintenance cost.
(B) Where, in the judgment of the City Council by reason of special conditions, the application of the sewer use charges established pursuant hereto would be inequitable or unfair to either the municipality or the user, or in the cases where the character of the sewage from a consumer is such that an additional burden is placed upon the sewerage system greater than that imposed by the average sewage delivered to the sewage disposal plant, a special rate may be established by ordinance or contract. To assist the City Council in determining whether or not special conditions exist or additional burdens are placed upon the sewerage system, the user shall, upon the request of the City Council, provide access to the user’s sewer lateral at a point where representative samples may be taken. Strength from the character of this waste shall be tested and it shall be determined to the satisfaction of the City Council, at the user’s expense, the strength of the waste and any special characteristics the waste may have.
(C) If any user can show to the satisfaction of the City Council that any substantial portion of the water consumed by the user is used for such purpose or purposes that it does not contribute to the sanitary sewerage, that water shall be disregarded for the purpose of determining the sewer use charges to the user.
(D) Money raised from the sewer use charges shall be used for the maintenance and operation of the existing system, or to create a reserve fund for the purpose of future maintenance or construction of a new sewer system for the municipality. Revenues from such charges shall also be used for the abatement or reduction of ad valorem taxes being levied or to be levied for the payment of bonds outstanding or to be issued for the construction of or additions of such sewerage systems.
(1999 Code, § 3-205)