(A) WPWA mails out bills on the first day of the month with the due date being the fifteenth day of the month, on the sixteenth day of the month, a 10% late fee is applied to any unpaid balance. After the twentieth day, a $10 penalty will be applied. Bills not paid by the twenty-fifth day of the month and do not have payment arrangement in place will be shut off for non-payment, and a $50 service charge applied.
(B) Shut-offs due to non-payment are done on the twenty-fifth day of each month. If the twenty-fifth day falls on Friday, weekend or holiday, shut-offs are done the next business day.
(C) No other contact will be made except the mailing of the regular bill. Failure of any customer to receive the bill for any utility charges provided for in this chapter shall not excuse the customer from their obligation to pay such charges within the time specified in this chapter.
(D) If no payment or payment arrangement is made prior to the disconnect date (twenty-fifth day of the month), utilities will be automatically scheduled for shut off with a service charge being added to the amount due. Service cannot be restored until the account is paid in full plus the service charge.
(1) Payment arrangements shall be as follows:
(a) The customer may request to be placed on a payment contract, which must be signed in person prior to the twenty-fifth day of the month;
(b) One payment contract is allowed per quarter;
(c) Failed payment arrangements will be worked with the regular non-pays. No notice will be given before shut-off;
(d) Payment arrangements do not exclude the account from accruing late charges; and
(e) Payment contracts must be approved by the Utility Clerk. All contracts must have initial payment with the remaining balance broken up over no more than three months. This will be in addition to the regular bill being paid in full when it’s due. No additional arrangements until contract is completed.
(2) Shut-off for non-pay procedure timing shall be as follows:
(a) Shut-off for non-pay will be made only during regular business hours;
(b) Shut-off for non-pay will be made Monday through Thursday only, but not on the day before a holiday, or if temperatures forecasted below freezing overnight; and
(c) Allow sufficient time prior to shut-off for non-pay to credit any payments received prior to the disconnect date. Payments made for reconnect on twenty-fifth day of the month for services will be restored same day. Payments made after 3:00 p.m. on twenty-sixth day of the month or beyond will be turned on next business day, with exception of Friday or a holiday.
(3) Hanger notice of shut-off for non-pay shall:
(a) Be left at each address where services are shut-off for non-pay; and
(b) The contents shall include:
1. Account number and address;
2. Notice that service has been shut-off for non-pay; and
3. Balance due including all service charges.
(Ord. passed 7-1-2022) Penalty, see § 52.999