(a) Liability.
(1) Each owner of real property supplied with water by the City shall be jointly and severally liable for charges for the water supplied to such premises.
(2) Water service may be terminated or denied to any premises if there are outstanding water or sewer charges to the premises, or denied to any person who has outstanding water or sewer bills with the City.
(3) The fact that the City carries an account in the name of a tenant or other non-owner does not relieve the owner(s) of liability for water charges to the premises.
(4) If the property owner fails to pay for water and/or sewer service supplied to the property, the City per Ohio R.C. 743.04 shall certify the delinquency to the Shelby County Auditor to be placed on the tax duplicate as other taxes are collected. The property owner will receive three notices of the unpaid amounts, including a notification sent by certified mail before the property tax assessment will be certified.
(b) Registration of Ownership.
(1) The owner(s) of premises supplied with water by the City shall register with the utility office, within thirty days after any change of ownership of the premises; and prior to any change in the account for water to the premises. Water service may be terminated or denied to any premises if a current registration card is not on file.
(2) The registration card shall contain the name and address of each owner; the name and address of the person to whom the regular bill is to be sent; any other information deemed necessary by the utility; and the signature of at least one owner of the premises, acknowledging personal liability for water and sewage charges. A separate registration card shall be filed for each separate account, unit, meter, or service location.
(c) Penalty.
(1) Any owner who fails to register as required by this section hereunder shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(2) The enforcement provisions herein shall be in addition to any enforcement mechanisms or civil or criminal liability otherwise provided by law.
(Ord. A-2211. Passed 5-8-00; Ord. A-2396. Passed 8-23-04.)