ORDINANCE NO. 2023-14

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NORTH SALT LAKE AMENDING TITLE 8, CHAPTER 1, SECTION 3 OF THE CITY CODE RELATED TO FEES, RATES, AND CHARGES

WHEREAS, the City of North Salt Lake is an incorporated city in Davis County Utah; and

WHEREAS, the City Council of North Salt Lake finds it necessary to update its adopted City Code relating to delinquency and disconnection of services for water users;

WHEREAS, the City Council finds that there are specific instances when the timeline to make notifications and conduct shut-offs for non-payment are limited by external factors;

WHEREAS, the City Council intends to improve the process and outreach to customers by removing certain restrictions on the collection of delinquent water utility accounts.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of North Salt Lake as follows:

Section 1. Code Amendment. Title 8, Chapter 1, Section 3 of the City Code is hereby amended as attached in Exhibit A.

Section 2. Severability. If any section, part or provision of this Ordinance is held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other portion of this Ordinance, and all sections, parts and provisions of this Ordinance shall be severable.

   Section 3. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective November 7, 2023.

APPROVED AND ADOPTED by the City of North Salt Lake, Utah on this 7 th day of November, 2023.

CITY OF NORTH SALT LAKE

                     By:

______________________________

BRIAN J. HORROCKS

Mayor

ATTEST:

_______________________               

WENDY PAGE

City Recorder               

                     City Council Vote as Recorded:

                     Council Member Watts Baskin   ______

                     Council Member Gordon      ______

                     Council Member Knowlton      ______

                     Council Member Porter      ______

                     Council Member Van Langeveld   ______

Exhibit A

Amendment to Section 8-1-3

Fees, Rates, and Charges

TITLE 8
PUBLIC UTILITIES

CHAPTER 1
WATER USE AND REGULATIONS

SECTION:

8-1-1: Administration

8-1-2: Applications

8-1-3: Fees, Rates And Charges

8-1-3: FEES, RATES AND CHARGES:

   A.   Rates And Connection Fees: The rates, penalty fee for delinquency in payment, connection fee, reservoir fee, inspection fee and other charges incidental to connection and services from the city water system shall be in such amounts as specified in the comprehensive fee schedule resolution. The governing body may promulgate rules for levying, billing, guaranteeing and collecting charges for water services and all other rules necessary for the management and control of the water system. Rates for services furnished shall be uniform with respect to each class or classes of service established or that may hereafter be established. (1989 Code § 14-117)

   B.   Delinquency; Discontinuance Of Service:

      1.   The City shall provide a utility bill containing the utility service charges assessed to each customer once a month. The utility bill may be sent electronically, or by mail.

      2.   The utility bill shall specify the amount charged for utility service, the available methods of payment, and the date payment is due.

      3.   Utility bills shall be delivered by the twentieth of each month for services provided during the previous month. The due date for the utility bill shall be the last day of the same month as the utility bill is delivered.

      4.   Delinquent Notification Procedure:

         a.   If utility bills are not paid by the fifteenth of the following month, a notice of "Past Due" amount will appear on the customer's next utility bill.

         b.   If the past due amount remains unpaid thirty (30) days after the original due date within ten (10) days an automated voice message call will be sent to the telephone number the customer has provided as their primary contact.

         c.   If the past due amount remains unpaid sixty (60) days after the original due date within ten (10) days the City will attempt a direct call (not automated) to the telephone number the customer has provided as their primary contact.

         d.   If the bill is not paid within twenty four (24) hours of the direct call the City may disconnect the delinquent customer from water services.

         e.   Shut-offs for non-payment may be done not sooner than a delinquency of at least sixty five (65) days or when two (2) monthly payment due dates have passed without payment.

         f.   After water service is disconnected, the City will only reconnect the delinquent customer when the total charges are paid in full or other arrangements are made with approval of the Finance Director or City Treasurer.

      5.   The City is hereby authorized and empowered to enforce the payment of all delinquent water charges by an action of law in the name of the City. (1989 Code § 14-121; amd. 2012 Code; Ord. 2021-07, 8-17-2021; Ord. 2022-03, 6-7-2022)