As used in this article, unless the context
specifically indicates otherwise, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
PERSON
Any individual, firm, association, public or private corporation
or public agency or instrumentality.
PREMISES
Each lot, parcel of land, building or premises having any
connection to the water distribution system of the City or the sewage
disposal system of the City.
All water service shall be charged for on the
basis of water consumed as determined by the meter installed in the
premises of water or sewage disposal service customers by the Department
of Public Works. All sewage disposal service shall be charged for
on the basis of water consumed. No free water service or sewage disposal
service shall be furnished to any person.
[Amended 1-21-1998 by Ord. No. 358]
A. Meter charges. A meter charge shall be paid each quarter
by each user of water from the City's water system, according to a
schedule which shall be adopted by resolution of City Council from
time to time.
B. Water rates. Water rates for all users of water from
the City's water system, including but not limited to wholesale users
and users of water who are outside the City boundaries, shall be set
according to a schedule adopted by resolution of City Council from
time to time.
[Amended 1-21-1998 by Ord. No. 358]
A. Rates. Sewer rates which shall apply to all users
of the City's public sanitary sewers for discharge by such users of
sewage into the City's sanitary shall be set from time to time by
resolution of City Council.
B. Industrial surcharge rate. Where it is determined
that the character of sewage from any manufacturing or industrial
plan, building or premises in the City is such that it imposes an
unreasonable additional burden upon the City's sewerage system, and
that the services necessary to treat such sewage are above that imposed
by the average sewage being treated, such manufacturing or industrial
plant, building or premises shall, in addition to the rates established
for sewage treatment as provided for in this chapter, pay an additional
quarterly sewage treatment surcharge, as established by Council in
each case, for such additional services necessary to treat such sewage
discharge.
Charges for water service and sewage disposal
service shall be billed and collected quarterly. All water meters
shall be read at least every third month, and bills shall be rendered
promptly thereafter. Such bills shall be immediately due and payable
and may be paid without penalty up to and including the 30th day of
the month when rendered. If they are not paid by such date, a penalty
of 10% shall be added.
[Amended 9-16-2009 by Ord. No. 455; 12-15-2010 by Ord. No.
463]
A. The Department
of Public Works is hereby authorized to enforce the payment of delinquent
charges for water service to any premises by discontinuing the water
service to such premises, and to enforce the payment of charges for
sewage disposal service to any premises by discontinuing either water
service or sewage disposal service to such premises, or both; to institute
an action in assumpsit by the City against the customer for the collection
of the unpaid services provided; or make a lien on the premises to
which the such unpaid services are furnished.
B. If the
unpaid water and/or sewage bill pertains to a condition existing on
private property, and if the charges billed by the Clerk/Treasurer
pursuant to §
254-42 are not paid in full within 30 days from
the date of billing, then the entire unpaid balance, including penalty
accrued pursuant to §
254-42, shall become subject to all the
measures of enforcement set forth in Subsection
A hereof.
C. If the
Clerk/Treasurer determines to exercise the option to collect delinquent
charges by placing a lien against the premises, on May 30 and/or October
31, or 30 days prior to the issuance of any/all tax bills each year,
the Clerk/Treasurer shall certify any and all unpaid charges for such
services which have been delinquent three months or more, add thereto
10% of total charges against each of the several premises so certified
to cover the city’s additional costs should this procedure be
necessary to effect collection, and shall enter the resulting total
upon the next tax roll against each of the premises so certified.
This lien shall be collected and/or enforced in the same manner as
provided in respect to that for any other taxes assessed upon such
roll.