(A) The rates and charges shall be prepared, billed and collected by the town in the manner provided by law and ordinance.
(B) The rates and charges for all users shall be prepared and billed monthly. Annually, each user shall be notified of the rates charged for operation, maintenance and replacement for that user during the next year in conjunction with a regular bill.
(C) The rates and charges may be billed to the tenant or tenants occupying the properties served, unless otherwise requested in writing by the owner, but such billing shall in no way relieve the owner from the liability in the event payment is not made as herein required. The owners or properties served, which are occupied by a tenant or tenants shall have the right to examine the collection records of the town for the purpose of determining whether bills have been paid by such tenant or tenants, provided that such examination shall be made at the office at which such records are kept and during the hours that such office is open for business.
(D) As is provided by statute, all rates and charges not paid by the fifteenth day of the month following receipt are declared to be delinquent and a penalty of 10% of the amount of the rates and charges shall thereupon attach thereto. Collection procedures and court action may be initiated and all delinquent bills remaining unpaid over 30 days after the due date regardless of the assertion of a lien therefor.
(E) Any delinquency and penalty shall constitute a lien upon the real estate for which such services apply, and the Clerk-Treasurer shall be and is authorized to file a notice of lien showing such delinquencies in the office of the Recorder of Porter County, Indiana. Nothing in this section mandates or directs liens to be perfected in any particular case. All liens duly perfected may be enforced by foreclosure pursuant to law, the town reserving all rights thereunder and as amended.
(Ord. 2008-2, passed 3-17-08)