A. It is the policy of the City to discontinue utility service to customers by reason of nonpayment of bills only after notice and a meaningful opportunity to be heard on disputed bills. The City form for application for utility service and all bills shall contain, in addition to the title, address, room number and telephone number of the official in charge of billing, clearly visible and easily readable provisions to the effect:
1. All bills are due and payable on or before the date set forth on the bill;
2. If any bill is not paid by or before that date, a second bill will be mailed containing a cutoff notice that if the bill is not paid within ten (10) days of the mailing of the second bill, service will be discontinued for nonpayment; and
3. Any customer disputing the correctness of his bill shall have a right to a hearing, at which time he may be represented in person and by counsel or any other person of his choosing, and may present orally or in writing his complaint and contentions to the City official in charge of utility billing. This official shall be authorized to order that the customer's service not be discontinued, and shall have the authority to make a final determination of the customer's complaint. (2001 Code § 51.49)
B. When it becomes necessary for the City to discontinue utility service to a customer for nonpayment of bills, service will be reinstated only after all bills for service then due have been paid. If service is discontinued or shut off pursuant to this provision, service may be reinstated upon request and once all sums due to the City are paid. If reinstatement is requested after regular office hours and standby personnel must be called out to make the reconnection, the after hours reconnection fee will be an additional fifty dollars ($50.00). (Ord. 1689, 8-19-2019; amd. Ord. 1745, 4-3-2023)