The council shall provide, by ordinance, for the collection of all public utility charges made by the city and for such purpose, shall have all the power granted to cities by statute. When any person or persons, or any firm or corporation shall fail or refuse to pay to the city any sums due on utility bills, which are not covered by deposits, the utility service or services upon which such delinquency exists may be shut off or discontinued and suit may be instituted by the city for the collection of the same in any court of competent jurisdiction.