When charges for service are not paid when due, the Director may do either or both of the following:
(a) Certify the charges, together with any penalties, to the County Auditor, who shall place the certified amount on the real property tax duplicate of the property served by the connection. The amount certified shall be a lien on the property served from the date placed on the property tax duplicate and shall be collected in the same manner as other taxes, except that, notwithstanding Ohio R.C. 323.15, a County Treasurer shall accept a payment in such amount when separately tendered as payment for the full amount of such unpaid water service charges and associated penalties. The lien shall be released immediately upon payment in full of the certified amount. Any amounts collected pursuant to certification under this division shall be immediately placed by the County Treasurer in a distinct fund established by Ohio R.C. 743.06. Unless the Director determines that a transfer of the property is about to occur, he may only make a certification under this division if the water service charges have been due and unpaid for at least sixty days and the Director has provided the owner of the property with written notice of the impending certification at least thirty days prior to the certification. However, no certification may be made under this division unless the charges are the result of a service contract made by or on behalf of the owner of the property served.
(b) Collect them by actions at law, in the name of the City, from an owner, tenant and other person who is liable to pay such charges.
(Ord. 30-86. Passed 1-14-86.)