(A) Contractors and other persons will be supplied with water for temporary use according to the charges as provided for water supply herein, as well as sewer usage if connections have been made to the sewer system and are determined by the Public Utilities Department to apply.
(B) All applications for temporary water supply service must be made at the utility customer service office on an application form prescribed by the Department of Public Utilities. Said application form shall require the signatures of both the property owner and the contractor or other person applying for temporary service if other than the property owner. A non-refundable application fee to be established by resolution of the City Commission to cover the city's administrative and processing costs will be due upon application for temporary service. Contractors and other persons applying for temporary water service shall be required to make a deposit to be established by resolution of the City Commission with the utility customer service office for guaranteeing payment for water service and for the replacement cost of the meter and other equipment that may be furnished to the contractor if not returned to the city.
(C) The applicant will be charged the regular tapping charge for cost of making the tap, setting the meter and other expenses in connection therewith, and for the removal of the meter and connections.
(D) Upon payment of all charges and the removal and discontinuance of service through the meter, the utility customer service office is authorized to refund the amount of deposit less any applicable charges as determined by the Public Utilities Department. Any charges in excess of the deposit must be paid before another meter can be issued to the same contractor or person. Any unpaid charges will constitute a variable and accruable lien against the property undergoing construction consistent with § 51.142.
(E) Charges and rules applicable to temporary meter service are as follows:
(1) A monthly minimum charge to be established by resolution of the City Commission shall be assessed in addition to the usage charges to cover the costs of monthly inspection and maintenance of the temporary meter.
(2) Applicants shall be responsible to notify the Public Utilities Department of the location of the meter and the meter reading every 30 days for billing purposes, so that the Department may inspect the meter condition and registration. Customers who fail to provide the location of the meter and the meter reading every 30 days shall be subject to a no-read meter penalty to be established by resolution of the City Commission. Customers who fail to provide the location of the meter and the meter reading for two consecutive months will be notified to return the meter immediately and the utility account shall be closed. If the meter is not returned to the office in three business days. the Customer shall be subject to an additional no return meter penalty as established by resolution of the City Commission, which is in addition to the cost of the meter.
(3) The application for temporary service shall expire and be limited to one year of issuance. The user may reapply only after all outstanding charges are paid in full. Applicants may be granted multiple applications if there is a need for additional site locations. If, however, any one location remains unpaid in excess of 30 days, all locations will be in default and the privilege afforded temporary service contracts will be revoked.
(4) Any damage to meter or hydrant shall be assessed to the contractor or user.
(5) The Public Utilities Department reserves the right to refuse temporary service to any applicant. Appeal of this decision can be made to the Public Utilities Director.
(6) The City shall bill temporary meter accounts monthly based on either an actual meter reading or an estimated consumption based on the average consumption from the temporary meter accounts with actual readings for the month. Non- payment of charges will result in routine delinquency processing pursuant to this chapter including service disconnection. The City may elect to close the account if the balance remains unpaid ten working days after service disconnection. The Customer's deposit will be forfeited in its entirety upon account closure. Reactivation of the account will require another deposit in full.
(7) The use of unauthorized meters to obtain water from City hydrants is prohibited. Unauthorized use of meters found connected to City hydrants will be removed and an unauthorized meter penalty shall be established by resolution of the City Commission and shall be assessed in order to return the unauthorized meter to the appropriate municipality and open the utility account with the City to obtain an authorized City meter.
(‘72 Code, § 36-12) (Ord. 205, passed - - ; Am. Ord. O-94-44, passed 9-21-94 ; Am. Ord. O-2005- 04, passed 5-4-05; Am. Ord. O- 2014-15, passed 7-16-14; Am. Ord. O-2019-18, passed 9-18-19)