(A) (1) The utility shall not be required to provide water services on a temporary or permanent basis, unless and until there shall be an approved written service application and contract on file with the utility. The only exception to this rule is that the city may offer a 30-minute to one-hour service to a new deeded owner of a property to check out the water system. No utility charge will occur, however, a service charge will be charged. There can be a three to five day waiting period.
(2) Applicants shall be required to show a positive identification when applying for service. A picture I.D. is required. In the absence of a picture I.D., a minimum of two proofs of identification will be requited (e.g., certified copy of birth certificate, military record, or the like) A social security number is required.
(3) If the applicant is leasing or buying a property on contract the premises where service is sought, a copy of the current lease or contract purchase document must also be provided to the Utility Department where it will be kept on file with the applicant/contract for service file. All occupants must be identified. The property owner(s) name shall be on file in the utility office. In some cases, a tenant and real property owner may have applications on file, with both having a deposit.
(4) All applicants are thoroughly checked by the Billing Clerk, the Superintendant, and reviewed by Mayor (using an approved check list). Normally, the process may take up to three business days. Once the Superintendant has checked and signed applications, a work order may be written on the application, which will be completed within the next 24 hours.
(5) Commercial and industrial customer applicants/contracts shall be executed be an individual with authority to bind the business and shall be accompanied by assurance of payment satisfactory to the Board of Public Works and Safety. The Mayor or Clerk-Treasurer may grant temporary approval between Board meetings.
(6) An applicant/contract for service shall be in full force and in effect until the party for service notifies the utility he or she wishes to terminate the service, or until legal documentation of property ownership change has been provided, or until proof of a new customer’s identity and date of transfer has been provided to the utility. If legal proof of change has been provided and/or date of transfer has been provided, a new application/contract may be required.
(7) If the utility denies service, it shall notify the applicant of the reason of denial and the applicant may appeal to the Board of Public Works and Safety. The utility may reject an application/contact for any of the following reasons:
(a) If the utility determines the applicant/contract has defrauded, is currently defrauding, or is attempting to defraud the utility;
(b) If the utility determines the applicant has an unpaid balance at another city service area, unless the applicant shall pay said balance in full prior to new service, being provided, however, that if the applicant has been discharged of the debt or obligation be proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court, service shall not be refused for failure to pay said unpaid balance, however, the utility shall have written proof of such proceedings naming the utility;
(c) If the utility has determined that a service address has been occupied and water has been used without a valid customer application/contact for water has been used while services were considered off such must be paid in full by property owner or charges filed against the owner;
(d) If the utility shall determine that the use or condition of the premises would result in water pollution, or damage to the property of the Utility or to others, or if said use or condition would result in a violation of any ordinances or status;
(e) If the utility shall determine that the use or condition of the premises, or the actions of the customer/owner(s), or any person acting on behalf of or with permissions of the customer, shall violate and duly adopted rule or regulation of the utility;
(f) The utility may reject the application/contract for service whenever such is not clearly and completely filled out in accordance to forms;
(g) Service may be denied to any individual who is under the age of eighteen years of age. He or she may make a special request to the Board of Public Works and Safety for consideration;
(h) Failure to put down a deposit or update a required deposit;
(i) Evidence that the applicant has lived at this service address as listed on the application and when applying balance is still owed at this address such balance must be paid prior to approval;
(j) The utility may reject service based upon I.C. 36-7-9-4, unsafe buildings and unsafe premises, as described, that may affect the utility ability to read or inspect its equipment located on the property;
(k) Shall be credit worthy;
(l) Shall have regular income;
(m) Shall sign a release form for the Clerk to check employment status and/or other information as deemed necessary;
(n) Shall reject applicant if a renter, if landlord has not completed a landlord registration;
(o) May be rejected if landlord and/or owner has a permit from County Area Plan on file and has not shown any progress for one year, that would effect the condition of the property;
(p) Upon death of a spouse and/or a partner whose name is not on the application, may complete a transfer from, furnish a death certificate (additional information may be required). Applicants must have been at the residence for a period of five years. If the applicant’s paying record is good, no deposit or additional deposit may be required. Such must be waived by the Board of Public Works and Safety;
(q) If property has a water leak that has not been corrected prior to applicant’s request until the leak has been corrected and/or a plan submitted to repair within ten days;
(r) If a contract for a renter from a landlord fails to state who is responsible for the utilities; or
(s) Failure to pay deposit.
(B) Evidence of credit worthiness or at risk applicant.
(1) An applicant for utility service may be rejected if only part of (B)(2) below has occurred or may be rejected under the requirement of (B)(3) below.
(2) A customer of the city utilities who, during the prior two years with the utility, the following criteria was evidence:
(a) Had two checks returned for NSF (non-sufficient funds) or was required to pay cash;
(b) Has two or more liens filed for failure to pay;
(c) Had water disconnected by the city for failure of non-payment; and
(d) The city utility filed under a collection agency to recover lost funds in water utility.
(3) Other general information on application such as having a job less than one year or has not had services with any utility company within the past two years.
(4) An applicant for utility service with the city utility one or two requirements of:
(a) Pay additional at risk deposit;
(b) Has been a continuous customers of any utility during the immediate two years;
(c) Owes no outstanding bills for services rendered by the utility;
(d) Did not have service disconnected by a utility for non-payment during the last two consecutive years; and/or
(e) Applicant must submit proof under (B)(4)(b) above from prior utility.
(Ord. 1-2021, passed 6-22-2021)