(A) Meter readings. Meters will be read and customers billed on the basis of the meter reading to the nearest cubic foot. The Water Department will keep an accurate account on its books of all readings of meters and the account so kept shall be offered at all times, places and courts as prima facie evidence of the use of water service by the customer.
(B) Rendering of bills.
(1) Billing period. All meters shall be read and bills rendered therefore monthly, except during winter months as determined by the City Council.
(2) Bills for other than normal billing period. Opening or closing bills, or bills that for any other reason cover a period containing 10% more days or 10%less days than in the normal billing period shall be prorated.
(3) Bills for more than one meter. All meters supplying a customer’s premises shall be billed separately, except that where the Water Department has for operating purposes installed two or more meters in place of one, the reading may be combined for billing.
(C) Disputed bills. When a customer disputes the correctness of a bill, he or she shall deposit the amount of the disputed bill at the time the complaint is lodged, to preclude discontinuance of service pending final settlement of the bill or bills. Subsequent bills shall be paid or placed on deposit in a similar manner. Failure of the customer to make a deposit shall warrant discontinuance of service as provided under division (F) below.
(D) Failure to read meters. In the event that it shall be impossible or impractical to read a meter on the regular reading date, the water consumption shall be prorated on the basis of 30 days per month and the total water consumption for billing purposes for that period shall be estimated.
(E) Payment of bills. Water bills shall be due and payable when rendered. Any account for which the bill is not paid is full during the month shall be considered delinquent.
(F) Delinquent accounts.
(1) Past due billing. Any amount due on a delinquent account shall be listed as “Previous Balance” on the next month’s billing statement.
(2) Turn-off notice. About a week before the due date, a turn-off notice will be sent to any customer who has not paid the “Previous Balance” listed on the billing statement. The notice shall state a date on which water will be turned off if delinquent account is not paid in full prior thereto.
(3) Service turn-off. On the turn-off date, the meter reader or other agent of the City of Union shall deliver a written notice to the customer stating that the water service is being turned off until all current and delinquent amounts have been paid. The meter reader or other agent of the city shall immediately thereafter turn-off the service. A delivery to the premises served by the meter shall be considered a delivery to the customer.
(4) Service charge. In all instances where water has been turned off because of delinquent accounts, a $10 service charge shall be made for the restoration of services and replacement of cash deposit as stated in division (F)(2) above, will be required.
(G) Installment payments of delinquent accounts. In cases of extreme hardship, the City Recorder shall have the discretion of renewing service to a delinquent account upon receipt of a satisfactory installment plan for the payment of the overdue amount. The plan shall be in writing and the installment period shall not exceed the period of time the account was delinquent.
(H) Water charge liens. Water service charges shall be a lien against the premises served from and after the date of billing and entry on the ledger or other records of the city pertaining to its water system, and the ledger, records or other records shall remain accessible for inspection by anyone interested in ascertaining the amount of the charges against the property. Whenever a bill for water service remains unpaid 90 days after it has been rendered, the lien thereby created may be foreclosed in the manner provided for by Oregon Revised Statutes, or in any other manner provided for by law or city ordinance.
(Ord. 421, passed 5-30-1990)