A. Generally: The rates, penalty fee for delinquency in payment, connection fee, inspection fee and other charges incidental to connection and services from the city water system shall be fixed from time to time by resolution enacted by the governing body. The governing body may from time to time promulgate rules for levying, billing guaranteeing and collecting charges for water services and all other rules necessary for the management and control of the water system. Rates for services furnished shall be uniform with respect to each class or classes of service established or that may hereafter be established. (1989 Code § 14-117; amd. 2007 Code)
B. Special Rates: The governing body may from time to time fix by agreement or resolution special rates and conditions for users using exceptionally large amounts of water service or making use of the water system under exceptional circumstances, upon such terms and conditions as they may deem proper. (1989 Code § 14-118)
C. Board Of Equalization: The governing body is hereby constituted a board of equalization of water rates to hear complaints and make corrections of any assessments deemed to be illegal, unequal or unjust. They may, if they see fit, rebate all or any part of the water bill of any indigent person. (1989 Code § 14-119)
D. Culinary Water Rates:
1. Definitions: The following words and phrases used in this subsection shall have the following meanings unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:
DROUGHT MANAGEMENT PLAN STAGING: The four (4) stage drought management plan, as defined and adopted in ordinance 2002-09, and as amended from time to time, referred to herein as the "drought management plan ordinance".
EQUIVALENT RESIDENTIAL UNIT OR ERU: The equivalent of fifteen thousand (15,000) gallons per month of metered water usage.
2. Water Rates:
a. Minimum Amount Per Month Fee/Base Rate: Seventeen dollars fifty cents ($17.50) per ERU.
Base Rate Structure | |
Base rate | $17.50/ERU |
Includes | 0 gallons |
b. Water Usage/Overage Fee: Water usage rates for usage shall be in accordance with the following table and in accordance with the drought management plan stage in effect at the time of billing:
Overage Steps | Cost/1,000 Gallons | |||
Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4 | |
Overage Steps | Cost/1,000 Gallons | |||
Stage 1 | Stage 2 | Stage 3 | Stage 4 | |
0 – 4,999 | $0.90 | $0.99 | $1.13 | $1.35 |
5,000 – 9,999 | 1.00 | 1.10 | 1.25 | 1.50 |
10,000 – 14,999 | 1.10 | 1.21 | 1.38 | 1.65 |
15,000 – 19,999 | 1.20 | 1.32 | 1.50 | 1.80 |
20,000 – 24,999 | 1.30 | 1.43 | 1.63 | 1.95 |
25,000 – 29,999 | 1.40 | 1.54 | 1.75 | 2.10 |
30,000 – 34,999 | 1.55 | 1.71 | 1.94 | 2.33 |
35,000 – 39,999 | 1.70 | 1.87 | 2.13 | 2.55 |
40,000 and over | 1.85 | 2.04 | 2.31 | 2.78 |
c. Drought Management Plan Staging Schedule Fee: The usage/overage fee schedule to be used shall be based upon the then effective drought management plan stage as found in the drought management plan ordinance. The following is a summary of the four (4) stages of the drought management plan ordinance:
Drought Management Plan Staging | ||
Stage | Rate Increase | Description |
1 | – | Normal usage/normal rate |
2 | 10 percent | Reduction goal is 5–10 percent of peak use |
3 | 25 percent | Reduction goal is 10–25 percent of peak use |
4 | 50 percent | Reduction goal is 25–60 percent of peak use |
d. Yearly Adjustment Review: The culinary water rates are to be reviewed and adjusted annually based on the consumer price index.
3. Drought Management Staging Plan: The drought management plan ordinance, as amended from time to time, is incorporated into this chapter by reference and the four (4) stages of water availability/scarcity as referred to therein is incorporated herein by reference. (Ord. 2007-03, 1-24-2007)
E. Delinquency; Discontinuance Of Service:
1. The city treasurer or utilities superintendent shall furnish to each user, or mail to, or leave at his place of residence or usual place of business, a written or printed statement stating thereon the amount of water service charges assessed against him once each month or at such other regular interval as the governing body shall direct.
2. The statement shall specify the amount of the bill for the water service and the place of payment and date due. If any person fails to pay the water charges within thirty (30) days of the date due, the city treasurer or utilities superintendent shall give the customer notice in writing of intent to discontinue the service to the customer unless the customer pays the bill in full within five (5) days from the date of notice.
3. All charges for water shall be paid for monthly by the customer. Any customer failing, neglecting or refusing to pay such charges by the twentieth day of the month shall be assessed a five percent (5%) penalty on the unpaid balance. Customers whose accounts are delinquent in excess of thirty (30) days shall also be subject to having their water turned off by the department. (1989 Code § 14-121; amd. 2007 Code)
F. Restoration Fee: In all cases of nonpayment where water is turned off by the city, a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) will be charged to restore water service to the affected property.
G. Relocating Or Capping Fee: In case of building being demolished or moved, a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) will be charged for relocating and/or capping water line. Any additional costs incurred by the city as the result of above mentioned relocating or capping, shall be assessed to property owner at cost.
H. Notice Requirements: Forty eight (48) hours' notice will be required for all turn off or turn on service.
I. Unpaid Obligations: In the event that there is an unpaid obligation for utilities (water, sewer and/or solid waste) at any residence or business and a request or application is made to the city to change the responsible party or to reconnect a disconnected water line, the city shall not change the responsible party nor shall the city connect the water line until an amount is paid to the city equal to five hundred dollars ($500.00) or the amount of the unpaid obligation, whichever is less, plus an application fee of fifteen dollars ($15.00). (1989 Code § 14-155)