(A) The following rates shall be the rates charged for the supplying of water service by the waterworks system of the city.
(1)
As of the October 1, 2022, billing for water usage the previous month, the first 133 cubic feet per month is $15.08.
(2) As of the October 1, 2022 billing, for water usage the previous month, per 100 cubic feet above the minimum usage of 133 cubic feet, is $6.99 per 100 cubic feet.
(B) The rates listed in division (A) of this section shall be computed on the consumption of water to the premises served according to the reading of the water meter appropriate to the premises. However, if the reading shall indicate consumption of less than 133 cubic feet in any month, minimum charges according to the schedule in division (A)(1) of this section per month shall apply.
(C) The rates listed in division (A) of this section are minimum rates, not maximum rates. The city reserves the right to increase these rates and is obligated to do so if the gross revenues of the waterworks system should at anytime be insufficient to pay the operating and maintenance expenses thereof, along with the principal and interest requirements of the bonds issued to finance improvements or additions to the waterworks system.
(D) City Council may by ordinances authorize contracts with industrial or commercial users for water service on such basis or bases as to rates and otherwise as shall serve the best interests of the city in the management and operation of waterworks system.
(E) Water usage charges will be mailed to customers by the first day of the month, U.S. postage prepaid. Payments for water charges are due on the fifteenth day of the month (the “due date”) without penalty. All water charges that are not fully paid within 15 days after the first of each month shall be assessed a service charge of 10% of the amount due and set forth on the final notice. If the city utility billing office does not receive payment by the close of business on the sixteenth day of the month, then the account will be delinquent. If a delinquent account is not paid, a penalty bill will be sent by U.S. mail, postage prepaid. The penalty bill will state the shut-off date for non-payment. If the penalty bill plus any service charges is not paid by the fifth day of the following month, then a shut-off notice (“final notice”) will be hand delivered by utility billing department staff to the service address. The city may disconnect water service on delinquent account any time after the close of the business on the fifth day of the following month. Water service shall not be reconnected until the delinquent amount, together with penalties and fees herein provided, is paid in full, including advance payment of the reconnect fee of $60, and if applicable, an after-hours fee as approved by the Safety and Service Director.
(F) An annual audit of the water service charges and the revenue generated there from shall be performed annually to determine that sufficient revenue is generated to cover the cost of operation, maintenance, and the replacement cost of the water system.
(1982 Code, § 51.36) (Ord. 1948-9, passed 6-28-1948; Ord. 1974-16, passed 9-5-1974; Ord. 1979-4, passed 4-2-1979; Ord. 1980-35, passed 11-3-1980; Ord. 1987-6, passed 5-4-1987; Ord. 1987-7, passed 5-4-1987; Ord. 1989-5, passed 5-1-1989; Ord. 1992-14, passed 11-2-1992; Ord. 1995-14, passed 12-4-1995; Ord. 1999-14, passed 11-1-1999; Ord. 2008-3, passed 6-9-2008; Ord. 2012-2, passed 7-9-2012; Ord. 2017-01, passed 1-9-2017; Ord. 2018-05, passed 5-14-2018; Ord. 2019-02, passed - -2019; Ord. 2022- 10, passed 7-14-2022)