There is hereby established for the use of and the service rendered by the water works system of the town, the following rates and charges based on the use of water supplied by the water works system. (Pursuant to I.C. 36-4-3-7.)
(A) Consumption per month rate per 1,000 gallons.
First 2,500 gallons | $7.50 |
Next 7,500 gallons | $7.50 |
Next 30,000 gallons | $6.54 |
Next 40,000 gallons | $3.74 |
(B) Minimum rates.
Meter Size | Cost Per Month |
Meter Size | Cost Per Month |
5/8 inch meter | $18.75 |
3/4 inch meter | $37.45 |
1 inch meter | $74.76 |
1-1/4 inch meter | $93.43 |
1-1/2 inch meter | $131.08 |
2 inch meter | $142.96 |
3 inch meter | $276.95 |
4 inch meter | $419.23 |
6 inch meter | $747.32 |
(C) Fire protection services - hydrant rental.
Municipal hydrant charge | $25,998 (paid by town) |
Private hydrant | Per hydrant $587.66 |
New meter deposits for customers or landowners | $150 |
(D) Sprinkler connection charges.
Size of Connection | Per Year Charge |
2-inch connection | $276.81 |
4-inch connection | $276.81 |
6-inch connection | $622.77 |
8-inch connection | $1,024.16 |
(E) Tap charge. A tap charge shall be collected from each customer, prior to connection to the water system, in an amount sufficient to reimburse the town for the labor, materials and overhead necessary for tapping the main, installation of service from the main to the property line (including the curb stop), and the cost of furnishing and installing a suitable water meter. The tap charge for the minimum 5/8-inch to 3/4-inch tap shall be $1,500. The tap charge for a 1-inch or larger tap will be the cost of labor and materials, with a minimum charge of $1,500.
(F) Establishing new service.
(1) New or moving customers applying for utility service shall do so in person at the Monon Utility office and shall put down a deposit before any utility service will be rendered. Interest will not be paid on any part of the deposit.
(2) When submitting the application for utility service, the applicant will be asked for proof of identification (valid driver’s license or picture identification). This is necessary to aid in the collection process, if necessary, and to eliminate possible falsification of whom is actually residing at the service address. A copy of the proof document will be attached to the application form.
(3) When a previously terminated account (owner-occupied or renter) returns to establish a new account after a period of time has elapsed, any delinquent utility bills owed by said new account applicant, including amounts previously written off as bad debt, must be reimbursed before a new account will be established.
(G) Collection and deferred payment charges.
(1) All bills for water services not paid within 15 days from the issue date thereof, as stated in such bills, shall be subject to the collection or deferred payment charge of 10% in the first $3 and 3% on the excess over $3.
(2) If an active account (owner-occupied or renter) continually becomes or remains past due (determined by multiple application of penalty charges against the account), or service has been discontinued due to non-payment, a deposit equal to double the established schedule may be required for continuation or re-establishment of service.
(3) Appropriate adjustments may be made to the owner/occupant for billing errors and/or water leaks. It is the responsibility of the owner/occupant to notify the Utility Office of any such errors and/or leaks. A high bill due to a water leak of the owner/occupant will be adjusted one time per calendar year at the request of the owner/occupant.
(4) Non-sufficient funds check return shall be charged $35. The Utility Office will make a courtesy call to the owner/occupant to notify them of the returned check. The amount of the returned check plus the charge shall be paid in cash on the same day the check is returned to the Utility Office. If the Utility Office is unable to contact the owner/occupant, service will be disconnected with that charge being added to the other charges.
(H) Bill frequency. The rates and charges shall be billed monthly by the town based upon monthly or quarterly meter readings. In the event quarterly meter readings are used, the first two months billings of such quarter will be estimated and adjusted to actual usage in the third month.
(I) Termination of water services.
(1) It is the policy of the town to discontinue utility service to customers by reason of nonpayment of bills only after notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard on disputed bills. The town's form for application for utility service and all bills shall contain, in addition to the title, address, room number, and telephone number of the official in charge of billing, clearly visible and easily readable provisions to the effect:
(a) That all bills are due and payable on or before the date set forth on the bill; and
(b) That if any bill is not paid by or before that date, a second bill will be mailed containing a cutoff notice approximately one week before the end of the month. If payment is not received by the first of the following month, service will be disconnected on the second business day of the month; and
(c) That any customer disputing the correctness of his or her bill shall have a right to a hearing at which time he or she may be represented in person and by counsel or any other person of his or her choosing and may present orally or in writing his or her complaint and contentions to the Town Clerk. The Town Clerk shall be authorized to order that the customer's service not be discontinued and shall have the authority to make a final determination of the customer's complaint.
(2) In the absence of payment of the bill rendered or resort to the hearing procedure provided herein, service will be discontinued at the time specified, but in no event until the charges have been due and unpaid for at least 15 days.
(3) When it becomes necessary for the town to discontinue utility service to a customer for nonpayment of bills, service will be reinstated only after all bills for service then due have been paid. A reconnect fee in the amount of $50 will be charged. Reconnect fees shall be paid in full before services will be restored.
(J) Authority to adopt water rates. The rates and charges to be collected by the municipal water works system shall be determined by vote of the Town Council at a regularly scheduled meeting, and such rates and charges shall not be subject to review by the Public Service Commission of the state. The water works, including its facilities for treatment, storage and distribution, is removed from the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission of the state insofar as user rates and charges are concerned.
(Ord. 03-2008, passed 6-17-2008; Ord. 2023-02, passed 4-19-2023)