(a) A grantee may impose rate or service charge increases at any time, subject to the requirements of all applicable State and Federal laws. With respect to rates and service charges, the grantee and the City shall abide by State and Federal law and FCC regulations.
(b) Subscribers, users and the City shall be notified of all increases in rates and service charges at least thirty days before the proposed effective dates.
(c) A grantee shall not discriminate in the assessment, levy, charge, imposition or collection of rates and service charges on the basis of age, race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex or marital status. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit the reduction or waiver of charges in conjunction with community promotional campaigns for the purpose of attracting subscribers or users.
(d) A grantee shall provide subscribers with itemized monthly bills. A grantee may not require subscribers to pay for any cable service more than one month in advance. A grantee shall require no other advance payment except security deposits as provided for in subsection (f) hereof. This subsection shall not be construed to prohibit voluntary advance payments or an advance payment for installation of services.
(e) In the event that a subscriber terminates any cable service prior to the end of a pre-paid period, the immediately effective pro-rata portion of any pre-paid rate which represents payment for services which are no longer to be rendered shall be refunded promptly.
(f) A grantee shall keep all security deposits received from customers in non-interest-bearing accounts. The grantee shall return a security deposit for equipment after the equipment is satisfactorily returned in as good condition as when provided to the customer, taking into account normal wear and tear. The grantee shall return a security deposit for service after the subscriber maintains a satisfactory payment history (which is determined as no payment delinquencies within the preceding twelve-month period). A grantee shall not charge a security deposit greater than the equipment's actual cost to the grantee.
(Ord. 1996-17. Passed 5-21-96.)