[Ord. No. 323, 2/25/2019[1]]
1.
It is the stated policy of this Borough that all utility customers
who receive either water, sewer or trash service from the Borough
pay their obligation for such services within 30 days of the date
of invoice.
2.
Failing full payment, it is further the policy of Dublin Borough
to take such measures that are reasonably necessary to ensure that
all outstanding invoices for services rendered are then the subject
of the below-described process to ensure that other residents of the
Borough are not shouldering an unfair share of the costs for services.
3.
Finally, it is the stated policy of Dublin Borough that all customers
who fail to pay for services are then required to pay to the Borough
those costs incurred for collection of outstanding balances, including
penalties, including attorneys' fees and costs, as hereinbelow
provided.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Part
1, Collection for Water, Sewer and Trash Services, adopted by Ord.
No. 309, 9/12/2016.
[Ord. No. 323, 2/25/2019]
1.
Invoices for all municipal services (i.e. trash, water and sewer)
are due within 30 days after the billing date. The Borough offers
a number of ·payment alternatives, including the acceptance
of credit/debit cards as detailed on the Borough's website, and
payment plans as below described. Processing a payment via credit/debit
card will incur additional transaction charges which are the responsibility
of the customer.
2.
All invoices not paid in full within 30 days shall bear a quarterly
penalty of 10% per quarter applied to the outstanding balance.
3.
If an invoice is not paid in full within 30 days of the billing date,
the Borough shall send a delinquent notice by regular mail which states
as follows:
A.
The Borough shall send a letter drawing the customer's attention
to the unpaid balance and also making the customer aware of payment
options. This letter shall also outline penalties and costs that will
be assessed if the account remains delinquent;
B.
When an account is delinquent 180 days, a second letter shall be
sent which assesses a separate but additional penalty in the amount
of 15% applied to the outstanding balance. This letter shall also
advise the customer that once the account becomes 270 days delinquent,
legal action shall be commenced. This letter shall advise that this
is the last opportunity to enroll in the payment plan, below described;
C.
Once the account is 270 days delinquent, the Borough shall send via
certified mail to the customer a notice of legal action, detailing
the aged balance, and penalties. This letter shall also state that
when the account is delinquent for 360 days:
(1)
A lien will be filed which will then assess attorneys'
fees and costs; and
(2)
An action will be commenced by the Borough Solicitor which seeks
full payment together with all costs, penalties, late fees and attorneys'
fees. This action shall be commenced within 15 days of the matter
being forwarded to the Solicitor's office;
(3)
Upon referral to the Borough Solicitor, the Borough shall also
advise the customer of pending legal action via certified mail, and
all further communication, other than for payments, shall be to the
Borough Solicitor.
[Ord. No. 323, 2/25/2019]
1.
If, prior to the expiration of 30 days from the billing date, as described in § 23-102 above, the customer requests to be enrolled in the Borough's payment plan, no additional enforcement action will be taken, and the customer shall not incur penalties, insofar as:
A.
The customer pays, initially, at least 25% of the then-outstanding
balance; and
B.
Makes monthly payments thereafter in no more than 12 equal monthly
payments, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Borough Manager or Borough
Council. Additionally, during the time the customer is paying as per
this payment plan, all subsequent invoices shall be paid in full within
30 days of their billing date.
2.
Provided, however, once an account has gone to a shut off notice as provided for in § 23-104, infra, or has previously been enrolled in a payment plan as provided for hereunder and not successfully completed that plan, that account shall not again be eligible to enter into a payment plan for three years (12 quarterly payments) from the date the shut off notice is removed or the payment plan has been successfully completed. Should an account successfully complete their plan, that account shall not be eligible to enroll in a payment plan as provided for hereunder for two years (eight quarterly payments) from the date of completion of the payment plan.
3.
Once entered into a payment plan, should an account become more than
30 days delinquent any time before the completion of the plan, the
account shall immediately be processed for a shutoff upon 30 days'
notice.
4.
Once a termination notice is sent, and services are not terminated
for whatever reason, should an account become more than 30 days delinquent
during the next three years, the account shall immediately be processed
for a shut off upon 30 days' notice.
[Ord. No. 323, 2/25/2019]
In addition to all of the remedies above described, should a
customer connected to the Borough's water system have a delinquent
account for a period of 425 days, the Borough shall terminate services
to said customer until the account is paid in full. The customer will
receive a final notice on day 395 that, in 30 days, termination of
service shall occur.
