A. Rates And Connection Fees: The rates, penalty fee for delinquency in payment and connection fees for sewer services from the city sewer system shall be fixed from time to time by resolution or ordinance of the governing body. The governing body may from time to time enact rules for levying, billing, guaranteeing and collection charges for sewer services and all other rules necessary for the management and control of the sewer system. All connections to the city sewer system shall be classified as residential or as commercial. Each residential connection shall be billed a minimum of one equivalent residential unit (ERU). Each commercial connection shall be billed based upon a determined number of ERUs. ERUs shall be based upon metered water usage for interior use during the months of December, January and February. One ERU is equivalent to six thousand (6,000) gallons per month. Connection shall be reviewed annually and ERUs and rates adjusted as required to assure adequate revenue to cover cost incurred. (Ord. 99-16, 6-9-1999; amd. 2007 Code)
B. Special Rates: The governing body may from time to time fix by agreement or resolution special rates and conditions upon such terms as they may deem proper for users of the sewer service discharging wastes of unusual characteristics or making use thereof under exceptional circumstances. (1989 Code § 14-217)
C. Board Of Equalization For Sewer Rates: The governing body is hereby constituted a board of equalization of sewer rates to hear complaints and make corrections of any assessments or charges deemed to be illegal, unequal or unjust. (1989 Code § 14-218)
D. Delinquency; Discontinuance Of Service:
1. The utility billing department, or such other persons as the governing body may designate, shall furnish to each user or mail or leave at his place or residence or usual place of business, a written or printed statement stating the sewer service charges assessed against him once each month or at such other regular intervals as the governing body shall direct. The statement shall specify the amount of the bill, the place of payment and the date due. (Ord. 99-3, 2-10-1999; amd. 2007 Code)
2. If any person fails to pay his sewer charges within thirty (30) days of the date due, the city recorder or the sewer superintendent shall give the customer notice in writing of the intent to discontinue the service of water to the premises unless the customer pays the bill in full within five (5) days from the date of notice.
3. If the water service is thereafter discontinued for failure to make payment of the sewer service charges, before the water service to the premises shall again be provided, all delinquent sewer charges must have been paid to the city treasurer or arrangements made for their payment that are satisfactory to the city.
4. In the event water is turned off for nonpayment of sewer charges, before the water service to the premises shall again be provided, the customer shall pay, in addition to all delinquent and interest charges, such extra charge for turning the water on and off as the governing body may have established by resolution or ordinance.
5. If any person fails to pay his sewer charges within thirty (30) days of the due date, the city recorder or the sewer supervisor is hereby authorized to take all action necessary to enforce collection, including, but not limited to, the commencement of legal proceedings in a court of proper jurisdiction seeking judgment for the amount of the delinquent fees, service charges, interest charges, and all costs of collection, including court costs and attorney fees. (Ord. 99-3, 2-10-1999)
E. Sewer Inspection Fees:
1. The following sewer inspection fee schedule is hereby imposed:
Lateral Size
|
Inspection Fee
|
4 inches | $150.00 |
6 inches | 200.00 |
Over 6 inches | 250.00 |
2. The inspection fee is payable when a building permit is obtained, or when an existing structure is connected to the city wastewater system. The inspection fee is only payable if the property is, or can be, served by the city wastewater system. (Ord. 2000-5, 4-26-2000)
F. Capping Fee For Demolished Or Moved Buildings: In the case of building being demolished or moved, a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) will be charged for capping sewer line. Any additional costs incurred by the city as the result of above mentioned demolition or relocation, shall be assessed to the property owner at cost. (1989 Code § 14-241)