A. Application Form: Each applicant for water and sewer service shall sign an application form provided by the city giving the date of application, location of premises to be served, the date applicant desires services to begin, purpose for which service is to be used, the address to mail billings, the class and the size of the meter service and sewer hookup and such other information as the city may reasonably require. A request for water service shall be considered a request for sewer service unless the city determines otherwise. In signing the application, the customer agrees to abide by the rules and regulations of the city. The application is merely a written request for service and does not bind the city to serve.
B. Deposits And Establishment Of Credit: At the time application for service is made, the applicant shall establish his credit with the city.
1. Establishment Of Credit; Deposit: The credit of the applicant will be deemed established if the applicant makes a cash deposit with the city to secure the payment of bills for service. The deposit shall be a sum equal to the estimated bill for two (2) months' service. In cases of financial necessity the deposit may be made in monthly installments.
2. Conditions Of Deposit: At the time the deposit is given to the city, the applicant will be given a receipt for the same. The deposit is not to be considered as a payment on account. In the event the service is discontinued, the deposit will be applied to the closing bill and any amount in excess of the closing bill will be refunded. The city will not pay interest on any deposit. (Ord. 487, 6-10-1991; amd. 1995 Code)
3. Forfeiture Of Deposit: If an account becomes delinquent and it is necessary to turn off the water service, the deposit shall be applied to the unpaid balance due. Water will not be restored to that customer on that premises or to that customer at a different premises until all outstanding bills due the water and sewer departments have been paid and the cash deposit replaced, together with a service charge, as set by city council. (Ord. 532-2002, 2-11-2002)
4. Application Of Deposit: If a water customer has maintained all his or her accounts with the city in good standing and without arrearage, delinquency or late payment for at least the most recent twenty four (24) consecutive months, that customer's water deposit shall be applied to his or her water and sewer account. The customer shall be notified of the application. Should the customer accrue an arrearage, delinquency or late payment for a water or sewer account after the application of the deposit as provided in this section, the city will require the reestablishment of a deposit in the manner specified in subsection B1 of this section, as if the customer were establishing a new account with the city.
For the purposes of initial application of this subsection, repayments of deposits will be made quarterly, starting with the city's oldest water accounts. The payments will be applied in blocks of one hundred (100) accounts per quarter until all the deposits are returned to all customers in good standing with a longer than twenty four (24) consecutive month account history with the City. (Ord. 554-05, 4-11-2005)
C. Application Amendments:
1. Customers desiring a material change in size, character or extent of equipment or operation which would result in a material change in the amount of water used shall give the City written notice of such change prior to the change and the application for service shall be amended.
2. Customers desiring a change in the size, location or number of services shall fill out an amended application. (Ord. 487, 6-10-1991; amd. 1995 Code)
D. Transfer Of Claim For Unpaid Utility Account:
1. Owner Responsibility: The owner of a rental property shall be responsible for any unpaid water or sewer accounts of his or her tenants. Any tenant applicant for City water or sewer service must contain the name, current address, and phone number of the property owner. Additionally, the application must contain a written consent signed by the owner which allows the transfer of liability for any delinquent utility service accounts of the tenant to the owner and which certifies the address or phone number for the owner is current and correct.
2. Notice Of Delinquency To Owner: All notices of account delinquency shall be sent to the owner or agent for the owner at the address that is on file with City by first class mail. Such notice to the owner or agent for the owner must be sent within thirty (30) days from the time payment is due on the account.
3. Denial Of Service To Subsequent Tenant: The City shall not deny or shut off water or sewer service to any subsequent tenant based on any lien for an unpaid claim for services furnished to a previous tenant who has vacated the premises unless the City has notified the owner or the owner's agent of any delinquency by mailing a copy of the notice of delinquency by first class mail to the last address of the owner or the owner's agent that is on file with the City, at the time the notice was sent to the previous tenant.
4. Denial Of Service To A Tenant With An Unpaid Bill: The City may not provide service to a tenant if the tenant has a previous unpaid bill with the City unless the City and the tenant have agreed to a repayment plan.
5. Uniform Policy: The City shall have the same policy regarding disconnection of services for nonpayment of an outstanding amount for a single family residence occupied by a tenant and for a single family residence occupied by the owner.
6. Requests For Information: The City shall provide information to the owner or the owner's agent regarding the status of a tenant's account upon request and within a reasonable amount of time. If the request is made verbally, the City shall provide the information verbally. If the City discloses information, the City shall not be held responsible for disclosure of the information to a person who is not an owner or owner's agent.
7. Right To Meeting With The City: Prior to any termination of water and sewer service, the affected owner or tenant may submit a written request for a meeting with the City Manager as is provided in section 8-1-14 of this chapter. (Ord. 578-16, 9-12-2016)