(a) The Village Clerk/Administrator, or an authorized agent shall certify any delinquent water or sewer accounts, with any penalties, to the Wood County Auditor to be placed on the duplicate and collected in the manner of real estate or municipal corporation taxes. The County Auditor shall place the certified amount on the real property tax list and duplicate against the property served by the water or sewer accounts.
(b) An additional surcharge of one hundred dollars ($100.00) shall be added to each utility account that is delinquent in excess of three hundred dollars ($300.00) and which results in the Village assessing such delinquent account with the Wood County Auditor.
(c) The amount placed on the tax list and duplicate shall be a lien on the property served, from the date placed on the list and duplicate, and shall be collected in the same manner as other taxes. The County Treasurer shall accept payment when tendered as payment for the full amount of any unpaid water or sewer charges, including associated penalties. The lien shall be released immediately upon payment in full of the certified amount. Any amounts collected by the County Treasurer shall be distributed to the Village, in the appropriate distinct fund established for water or sewer charges.
(d) (1) Property owners are liable for utility bills. This responsibility remains with the property being served. The Village of Wayne imposes liability on the property owner for water and sewer services provided to a tenant on the premise. All Village utility bills must be paid in full before an account is reactivated, or transferred to a new customer.
(2) Special circumstances may allow the utility bill to be mailed to a tenant, after written request for such is made by the owner. However, this does not relieve the property owner of the liability of the utility indebtedness.
(e) If an account goes unpaid and becomes subject to turn-off, the Village Utility Department is not required, but will attempt to place a notification door hanger at the service address.
(f) The Village may alternately choose to collect any delinquent water or sewer accounts by actions at law in the name of the Village from an owner, tenant or other person who is liable to pay the water or sewer charges.
(Ord. 7-11-673. Passed 7-20-11.)