(A) Meters are read, bills are prepared and mailed on a cycle basis and bills are due and payable on the twenty-first day from the mailing date. To all bills not paid on or within 2 days after due date thereof, there shall be added collection charges as follows: 10% on the first $3 of billing; 3% on excess over $3.
(B) If bills are not paid within 14 days after due date thereof, the service will be disconnected in accordance with division (C) below. A customer may enroll in the level billing program as follows:
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(1) As an alternative to billing for the actual amount of utilities used each month, residential customers shall be given the option of enrolling into the level billing program. Those residential
customers so enrolled shall be billed equal monthly installments during an 11-month billing cycle (level
billing period) commencing with the July billing every year, with the equal monthly installments (level billing amount) determined by averaging the previous 12-months’ bills at the same location. The equal monthly installments (level billing period) may be adjusted at any time at the discretion of the utility business office.
(2) The accounts will be reconciled with the June bill each year by comparing the actual charges incurred during the level billing period, plus the June charges, against the actual amount paid during the level billing period. If there is a balance due, the balance must be paid by the due date on the June bill. If an overpayment of the account has occurred, the overpayment will be refunded, thereby starting the next level billing period with a zero balance.
(3) Enrollment by electing customers must be completed before June 30 or prior to the billing for water customers’ July statement, whichever is later. The customer must at all times be current with their utility bill in order to participate in the level billing program, or their participation will be terminated. Customers electing this level billing program remain subject to all other rules and regulations of the Washington Municipal Utilities, including but not limited to, those regarding late payments, penalties and disconnection.
(4) Participation in the program will continue from year-to-year without having to re-enroll.
(5) Customers may terminate their enrollment in the level billing program by written notification to the utility business office and giving the utility business office a reasonable opportunity to act on it. The account will then be reconciled and any balance due must be paid upon termination.
(C) The city shall disconnect utility service in accord with the following policies:
(1) When it becomes necessary for the city to discontinue utility service to a customer for nonpayment of bills, service will be reinstated only after all bills for service then due have been paid and any deposit required has been made. It is the policy of the city to discontinue utility service to customers by reason of nonpayment of bills only after notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard on disputed bills. The city’s form for application for utility service and all bills shall contain, in addition to the title, address, room number, and telephone number of the official in charge of billing, clearly visible and easily readable provisions to the effect:
(a) That all bills are due and payable on or before the date set forth on the bill;
(b) That if any bill is not paid by or before that date, the next bill will show disconnection date for non-payment of previous bill.
(c) That any customer disputing the correctness of his or her bill shall have a right to a hearing at which time he or she may be represented in person and by counsel or any other person of his or her choosing and may present orally or in writing his or her complaint and contentions to the city official in charge of utility billing. This official shall be authorized to order that the customer’s service not be discontinued and shall have the authority to make a final determination of the customer’s complaint.
(2) Requests for delays or waiver of payment will not be entertained; only questions of proper and correct billing will be considered. In the absence of payment of the bill rendered or resort to the hearing procedure provided herein, service will be discontinued at the time specified.
(D) Upon the customer paying a delinquent bill, the customer must also pay a “delinquent fee” of $50.
(Prior Code, § 53.22) (Am. Ord. 24-2008, passed 12-22-2008; Am. Ord. 25-2008, passed 12-22-2008; Am. Ord. 7-2009, passed 4-27-2009; Am. Ord. 26-2021, passed 11-22-2021)
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