[Adopted as Ch. 1046 of the 1989 Codified Ordinances]
As used in this article, unless the context specifically indicates otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
DEPARTMENT
The Department of Public Works.
DIRECTOR
The Director of Public Works.
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.