(A) Generally. Effective 7-1-1980, the Department of Municipal Service of the city is directed to collect a non-residential user fee in the amount of $10 per 1,000,000 gallons of water consumed; the fee to be collected only from customers meeting the criteria of a non-residential user. This will provide the city with funds to pay for the city’s share of the federally-mandated industrial surveillance program. The moneys collected shall be placed in an appropriate fund to be used for the above stated purposes, and any balance that may accrue shall be retained for future payments and contingencies.
(B) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
NON-RESIDENTIAL UNITS. Any sewered premises which do not meet the above description.
RESIDENTIAL UNIT. Any structure designed and used for year-round habitation where average occupancy by the same person or persons was longer than two consecutive months during the previous year.
(C) Charges to become a lien. The charges provided for in division (A) above shall become and be, until paid, a lien on the lot or lots or parcel or parcels of land which comes within the definition as set forth in division (B) above.
(D) Unpaid charges. Whenever any person, firm or corporation shall fail to pay the rates fixed herein, the water may be shut off and suit may be instituted by the city for the collection of the same in any court of competent jurisdiction, or the same may be reported to the City Assessor to be spread by him or her on the next general city tax rolls, as a special tax or assessment upon the lot or premises on which the said unpaid charges become a lien. In case said unpaid charges are so spread by the City Assessor, they shall be collected in the same manner as other city taxes. No attempt to collect the said charges by any process herein provided shall invalidate the lien upon the lot or premises.
(Prior Code, § 38.1-17) (Ord. 653, passed 7-21-1980)