A system of charges shall be applicable to all requests for new water service both inside and outside of the incorporated limits of the city as follows:
(A) Water tapping fees.
(1) Prior to the initiation of water service, the following water tapping fees and deposits shall be paid before water tap-ins are made or service is commenced:
Service Requirement (Inches)
|
Water Tapping Fee Effective 1/1/24 |
3/4 | $1,040.00 |
1 | 1,270.00 |
1½ | 1,850.00 |
2 | 2,570.00 |
3 and larger | Installation cost |
(2) An additional fee of $40 shall also be paid, which represents the administrative cost of adding a new account into the system.
(3) If a licensed underground utility contractor provides and installs the necessary appurtenances acceptable to the city to the extent that the only remaining act of providing new customer services is the installing of a metering assembly and metering box, the tapping cost, as provided by this section, shall be reduced by 50%.
(4) The fee for relocating a water meter and/or terminating an existing water service at the request of a customer shall be based upon the actual cost incurred by the city for the relocation, or termination of service.
(B) Customer deposits. The city hereby institutes a customer deposit schedule for the purpose of guaranteeing payment from all new customers equal to three times the average monthly water bill for each class of service, as follows:
(1) Single-family residential classification.
Meter Size (Inches) | Effective 1/1/24 Deposit Amount |
3/4 | $125 |
1 | 175 |
1½ | 230 |
2 | 415 |
(2) Multiple-family residential classification: $75 per unit.
(3) Commercial classification.
(a) Commercial business deposit by meter size:
Meter Size (Inches) | Effective 1/1/24 Deposit Amount |
3/4 | $172.50 |
1 | 350 |
1½ | 542.50 |
2 | 915 |
3 | 2,095 |
4 or greater | Based on estimate of average usage |
(b) Hotel, apartment hotel and motel deposit per unit: $75.
(4) Irrigation classifications. Irrigation meters will be billed at the deposit rate applicable to the account that provides domestic service to the customer, in
accordance with subsections (1) through (3) of this subsection. If there is no other account which provides domestic service to the customer, the irrigation meter will be viewed as a recreational account in accordance with § 50.03(C)(5) and be billed at the domestic commercial rate specified in subsection (3)(a) of this subsection.
(5) Deposit monies shall earn interest while held by the city. The city shall, pursuant to its policies, pay or credit to the account the original deposit with earned interest.
(6) Refunds of water deposits will be made to credit-worthy customers who have had a water account with the city for a minimum of four years as of the customer’s four year service anniversary date, provided the customer has not met any of the criteria outlined in subsection (7)(a) through (f) below. Refunds will be made in the form of credits against future charges.
(7) The city will require an additional deposit of customers who have been credited for a previous deposit (amount to be based on criteria outlined above), if any of the following apply:
(a) Customer has had service disconnected for non-payment twice within the past 12 months.
(b) Customer paid with a check that is refused by a bank twice within the past 12 months.
(c) Customer is in arrears 30 days or more twice within the past 12 months.
(d) Customer has not fulfilled payment agreement obligations.
(e) Customer has filed for bankruptcy.
(f) Customer tampered with the meter or used service in a fraudulent or unauthorized manner within the past 12 months.
(8) For meters four inches in size and greater, if at anytime the monthly charges exceed 50% of the amount of the deposit for at least three consecutive months, the city will require an additional deposit amount. Calculation of additional deposit will be based on three highest consecutive billing months, less initial deposit.
(9) Deposits that are reestablished or increased in accordance with this chapter shall be billed to the customer's account.
(10) The city will withdraw and expend any customer deposit collected from any occupant or tenant for the provision of water, wastewater, reuse or refuse collection services due to nonpayment of service charges by the occupant or tenant.
(11) The city will waive a new deposit required due to a change of address within the city service area, provided the customer has not met any of the criteria outlined in subsection (7) above and the new meter is the same size as the old or the new deposit that would be required for a larger meter at the new address does not exceed the previous meter deposit requirement by $50 or more.
(12) All deposits will be increased by 25% for water and wastewater service outside the incorporated limits of the city.
(13) Agencies of the United States of America, the state of Florida, Broward County, other municipalities, or other public bodies, corporate and politic, established pursuant to law, shall be exempt from the payment of security deposits; provided, however, that such agencies shall be subject to all other fees and charges.
(14) Amendments to the Customer Deposit Schedule established herein shall not reduce nor increase the deposit requirements for existing customers.
(15) Failure to comply with the city's deposit policy will result in refusal of utility services or disconnection of utility services.
(C) Requirements for service.
(1) Any new applicant for service who has purchased a property from a previous customer shall have 30 days after the first billing date to bring the account current. If the account is not brought current service may be terminated as provided for in § 50.07.
(2) Any new applicant for service who is a tenant may be required to provide documentation of the date he became responsible for service. Acceptable forms of proof include a notarized lease from the listed property owner or tenant as deemed appropriate, or rent receipt. All applicants may also be required to provide verification of their identity, such as corporate charter or drivers license.
The Customer Service Manager shall have the discretion to accept additional forms of proof not listed herein.
(Ord. 88-21, passed 12-29-87; Am. Ord. 89-03, passed 10-4-88; Am. Ord. 89-47, passed 3-7-89; Am. Ord. 90-13, passed 11-21-89; Am. Ord. 91-24, passed 12-18-90; Am. Ord. 93-36, passed 4-13-93; Am. Ord. 93-78, passed 9-28-93; Am. Ord. 94-68, passed 9-27-94; Am. Ord. 98-12, passed 11-25-97; Am. Ord. 99-35, passed 4-13-99 9-28-99; Am. Ord. 2004-05, passed 10-28-03; Am. Ord. 2007-44, passed 3-27-07; Am. Ord. 2013-19, passed 11-27-12; Am. Ord. 2022-45, passed 4-26-22; Am. Ord. 2024-10, passed 11-14-23)