(A) Water bills must be paid monthly either at the office of the City Clerk or by electronic means such as through a bill pay service with a bank. Payments are due on the first day of each month for water services provided in the preceding month. When paying in person, the customer shall present to the City Clerk, together with the correct payment, a current bill indicating the amount of water used and the balance due. If a water bill is not paid by the tenth of the month for services provided in the preceding month, then it becomes delinquent, and shall result in a late charge for each month past due and the City Clerk will then give three days written notice to the customer that on the fourteenth of the month (or the business day closest to the fourteenth) the water shall be turned off unless the entire outstanding balance is paid in full before the fourteenth of the month. A turn on fee pursuant to a fee schedule adopted by resolution shall be assessed against a delinquent customer and this fee, as well as any unpaid amount or balance due for water service must be paid in full before resumption of service.
(B) Should the occupant of the premises turn on the water, or suffer or cause the water to be turned on, after it has been shut off at the curb stop, it may be turned off at the main and a charge equal to that of establishing a new service in addition to any delinquent charges shall be assessed and paid before the resumption of water service. Further, the City may pursue redress under the state laws pertaining to "theft of services" if water is used without payment therefor. The landowner of the property to which service is provided is ultimately responsible for all charges for service provided, including those incurred by a tenant or lessee of the property. If a customer whose water has been shut off either at the curb stop or the main requests that it be turned on again during an evening or weekend, then any charge set forth in this section shall be double the standard fee.
(C) Whether the City does or does not suspend service for any reason, the City does not waive its right to assess the base rate and any penalty for each month the charges remain unpaid and to seek other legal redress, including but not limited to obtaining a lien on the property in conformity with M.C.A. Title 7, Ch. 13, Part 43. The penalty may be compounded and any collection costs shall be assessed against the User, their heirs, agents or assigns, including legal and attorney fees and costs.
(Ord. 369, passed 4-1-2018, § 4.08.050; Ord. 2022-379, passed - -2022)