(A) The city may require a customer to deposit a sum of money with the city to guarantee payment of all utility charges.
(B) The Director may set the amount of the deposit up to three times the amount of the historic average monthly bill for the property served or for substantially similar property. The city must credit the amount of the deposit, without an interest payment, to the customer's account upon the discontinuance of any service and after applying the deposit to any outstanding customer utility bill(s). Any balance of the deposit then remaining with the city will be returned to the person making the deposit, without interest.
(C) Any applicant who is the property owner of record, or any applicant who has the written approval of the property owner of record, may choose to enter into a Lien Authorization Agreement, in the form and manner prescribed by the Director, in lieu of a cash deposit. By doing so, the applicant and/or the property owner of record agree that, pursuant to applicable Cal. Gov't and Cal. Health and Safety Codes, and upon the direction of the City Council, the city is authorized to collect and annually transfer to the County Auditor for inclusion on the next year's tax bill of the respective property owner any delinquent fee or charge imposed by the provisions of this chapter, including interest and penalties. Alternatively, an action in the name of the city may be commenced in any court of competent jurisdiction for the amount of any delinquent fees or charges and if legal action is brought by the city or its assignee to enforce collection of any amount charged and due under this chapter, any judgment rendered in favor of the city will include costs of suit incurred by the city or its assignee including reasonable attorneys fees.
(Ord. 1023, passed 2-1-99; Am. Ord. 1071, passed 7-21-03)