§ 53.07 PAYMENT OF BILLS.
   (A)   Date due. The meters will be read by the city on or about the tenth day of each month. If weather conditions or other circumstances prevent the reading of meters, then each water bill will be estimated by the city. Bills will be mailed around the twentieth day of each month and will be delinquent after the tenth of the following month. Bills will be paid to the city or a designated representative.
   (B)   Penalties for late payment. There will be a 10% penalty added to each bill that is unpaid after the tenth of the month following mailing. If any bill, for water services as provided in Chapter 53 herein, or for sewer services as provided in Chapter 51, remain unpaid upon the twentieth of the month following mailing, the water supplied to the property affected will be shut off by the city and the service will not be restored until the following guidelines are satisfied:
      (1)   Renters/Non-owners.
         (a)   A $100 deposit will be required in order to establish service at a residence which is not owned by the tenant. The city will retain this deposit for 24 months, then return. If service is disconnected for non-payment, the 24-month period will start anew. If the resident moves before the 24-month period of time has elapsed, the deposit will be returned after the final bill is paid in full.
         (b)   If any bill for water/sewer service is not paid by the twentieth of the month following mailing, the city will disconnect the service and it will not be restored until the following guidelines are satisfied:
            1.   The delinquency and 10% penalty must be paid in full as well as a $10 service fee. If disconnection occurs after the original deposit has been returned, a $100 deposit, which will be retained for 24 months, must also be collected before service is restored.
            2.   If service is disconnected for non-payment three times in any 12-month period, a one-month’s estimated charge will be added to the deposit, in addition to the requirements in 1. above.
      (2)   Property Owners. If any bill for water/sewer service is not paid by the twentieth of the month following mailing, the city will disconnect the service and it will not be restored until the following guidelines are satisfied:
         (a)   The delinquency and a 10% penalty must be paid in full as well as a $10 service fee. Also, a $100 deposit will be collected. The city will retain this deposit for 24 months, then return. If service is disconnected again for non- payment, the 24-month period will start anew. If the resident moves before the 24-month period of time has elapsed, the deposit will be returned after the final bill is paid in full.
         (b)   If service is disconnected for non-payment three times in any 12-month period, a one-month’s estimated charge will be added to the deposit, in addition to the requirements in (a) above.
   Bills remaining unpaid after 30 days after rendition of services shall constitute a lien upon the real estate to which the service has been rendered. The City Clerk is hereby authorized to and directed to file a notice of such lien in the Office of the Recorder of Douglas County, Illinois, and to pursue all such legal action as is necessary to collect the delinquent charges, including, but not necessarily limited to, authorizing the City Attorney to pursue collection action in court.
   (C)   A fee of $10 will be charged on all checks returned for non-sufficient funds.
(Ord. 92-0-22, passed 12-14-92; Am. Ord. 93-0-8, passed 5-24-93; Am. Ord. 97-O-8, passed 11-10-97)