Sec. 21-3. Billing and collection.
   (a)   The owner of developed property or customer shall be liable for the payment of stormwater fees assessed to such premises. Additionally, the owner of property shall be liable for all stormwater fees assessed to all premises occupied by tenants after tenants have vacated the premises in an amount not less than published rates. If such charges are not paid, legal action may be taken to collect said charges (G.S. 160A-314).
   (b)   Method of billing. Billing and collection of the stormwater utility charges for stormwater management services and facilities shall be included on the utility bill under the general administration of the town’s business office and shall be payable in the same manner as other utility fees and charges.
      (1)   Stormwater bills for a property that receives water and/or sewer service from the town will be sent to the customer receiving such service on a land parcel. Where multiple water and/or sewer accounts exist for a single land parcel, the stormwater bill may be divided between the bills or assigned to the master account.
      (2)   Stormwater bills for a property with no existing water or sewer service will be sent to the property owner as a utility bill with no fees or charges except the stormwater charge, until such time as additional utility services are provided to the land parcel.
   (c)   Delinquencies. Stormwater utility charges that are not paid within the time allowed for the payment of water utility charges (30 days) shall be collected by any remedy provided by law for collecting and enforcing private debts or in any other manner authorized by law. The town reserves the right to discontinue service for an account that remains delinquent as provided by G.S. 160A-314(b).
   (d)   Application of payment. Payment will be applied to a customer’s bill in the following order:
      (1)   Interest, to the extent allowed by law.
      (2)   Civil penalties assessed pursuant to this article.
      (3)   Stormwater utility service charge.
      (4)   Other utility service charges and fees, when applicable.
   (e)   Appeal of disputed bills and adjustments. If any customer wishes to dispute a stormwater utility service charge billing or any other rents, rates, fees, charges, or penalties adopted pursuant to this article, that customer must submit a written appeal within sixty (60) days of receipt of the billing, stating the reasons for the appeal, and providing information pertinent to the calculation of the billed charge. A timely appeal shall stay the penalty deadlines. An appeal of a disputed bill shall be filed with the town’s stormwater manager for review and disposition. If the customer is not satisfied with the disposition of the appeal, the customer may further appeal the disputed charge to the Town Manager or their designee who shall make the final ruling on the validity of the appeal.
   (f)   Collection of delinquencies. The administrative remedies provided in this chapter shall be exhausted before recourse to a court of competent jurisdiction.
(Ord. No. 2024-09, 6-4-2024)