925.16 TAP-INS, METERS AND METER ASSEMBLIES; WATER SERVICE LINE INSTALLATION AND INSPECTION; OWNERSHIP AND MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITY.
   (a)   Only water meters approved by the Director shall be used in the City water system. The Director is authorized to stock and sell water meters of various sizes and applications at cost, plus an administrative fee not to exceed ten percent (10%). If the City does not stock the type of water meter necessary, the applicant for water service shall procure the correct meter on specification of the Director. The Director may also stock and sell meter flanges, radio transmitters, remote reading devices or other assemblies to water customers at cost, plus an administrative fee not to exceed ten percent (10%). Once installed, meters, meter flanges, radio transmitters, and remote reading devices shall become the property of the City and shall be returned to the City when service at the premises is terminated or abandoned, or when any such equipment is replaced.
   (b)   The Director may make tap-ins to water mains, install water service connections to the curb box, conduct meter and plumbing inspections, and seal water meters on behalf of customers and shall charge the City's costs therefor, plus an administrative fee not to exceed fifteen percent (15%). When authorized by the Director, a registered plumber or registered contractor may make all connections to the main and install service connections to the point designated by the Director for installation of the curb stop, at the applicant's or customer's expense.
   (c)   Whenever in this Chapter the Director is authorized to charge the City's cost for a product or service, the Director shall be authorized to annually establish a flat rate for the product or service effective as of each January 1st, based upon the City's cost history in the previous year, informed by any known changes in labor or supply contracts during the upcoming year. Such rates shall be established and effective at the same time and in the same manner that water consumption rates are determined by the Finance Director, and shall be kept publicly available on the City's website and at such other locations as determined by the Director.
   (d)   Once installed and accepted by the City, the portion of the water service connection from the main to the curb stop, including the curb stop and curb box, shall be owned by the City, and the City shall be responsible for its maintenance, provided, however, that the customer shall be responsible for maintenance of any curb box installed in a paved area after April 27, 2005. The customer shall own and be responsible for the maintenance of the service connection from the curb stop to the point where it enters the structure served.     
(Ord. 2017-131. Passed 11-13-17.)