[Amended 2-1-1971 by Ord.
No. 221, approved 2-2-1971]
A. Minimum sewer bill. Each sewer bill shall be rendered for an amount
as shall be determined by the Council by resolution, which will allow
for the use or consumption of 3,000 gallons of water as determined
by a reading of the owner's water meter. The foregoing notwithstanding,
churches or houses of worship having and holding regularly conducted
weekly religious services shall be entitled to an exemption from sewer
charges to the extent of 5,000 gallons of water per month but shall
pay all other applicable charges or bills.
[Amended 7-7-1980 by Ord.
No. 262, approved 7-7-1980]
B. Sewer rates.
[Amended 5-17-1971 by Ord. No. 223, approved 6-2-1971; 7-7-1980 by Ord. No.
262, approved 7-7-1980]
(1) The sewer rates, as shall be determined by the Council by resolution,
shall be applicable to all quantities of water used or consumed in
excess of that allowed under the minimum bill.
(2) The above rates shall become effective upon the effective date of
the resolution, and the City Manager shall make such proration of
bills as shall be necessary to equitably put the new rates into full
force and effect.
(3) The above rates shall not be applicable to water used for either
domestic, commercial or industrial purposes where the same is not
returned to the City storm or sanitary sewers, provided that a special
meter is installed to the City's specifications at the expense
of the owner for the purpose of metering the water not returned to
the City's sewer systems.
(4) Properties utilizing private water systems pursuant to §
226-4 of Chapter
226, Water, and not measuring the amount of effluent discharged into the sanitary sewer system by means of a sewage flow meter or other measuring device approved by the City shall pay such sewer charge or charges as shall be determined by the Council by resolution.
C. All water meters shall be read on or about the first day of the month,
and each owner shall pay the amount billed on or before the 10th day
of the following month.
[Amended 6-2-1997 by Ord.
No. 349]
D. All unpaid accounts shall be delinquent at the close of business
on the 10th day of the month following the month the bill is rendered,
and the sewer service may be discontinued by the City and shall not
again be restored until all sums due the City have been paid in full.
[Amended 6-2-1997 by Ord.
No. 349]
E. Staggered meter reading and billing.
(1) Nothing in this section shall prevent the Water Department Clerk,
with the consent of the City Manager, from districting or zoning the
City for the purpose of staggering the reading of meters and billing
for sewer service. However, no meter shall be read or owner billed
for sewer service for less than a month after districting and zoning
is complete unless service has been discontinued by the owner.
[Amended 6-2-1997 by Ord.
No. 349]
(2) In case of staggered meter reading and billing, the owner shall pay the amount billed on or before the 30th day following the period for which billed. The provisions set forth in Subsections
C and
D above shall also apply to this subsection in every respect as if the provisions herein had therein been specifically provided for.
F. All sewer bills or accounts shall be paid to the Water Department
Clerk of Pocomoke City during the business hours of the office. The
City Manager shall cause receipts to be issued for all sums paid on
sewer accounts. The City Manager is authorized to adjust sewer accounts
when, in his or her judgment, an error has been made in the consumer's
charges.
[Amended 6-2-1997 by Ord.
No. 349]
G. All bills shall be sent to the property owner shown upon the City's
tax assessment books. All bills not paid by the last day of the month
following the month of billing shall draw interest thereafter until
paid at the rate of 1/2 of 1% per month, or fraction thereof, and
all such bills not so paid shall be added to the next annual tax bill
of each said owner, and the City Clerk shall not accept payment for
or receipt said tax bill unless the amount so assessed against said
owner, with interest thereon, is included in the amount paid. The
property owner may request, in writing, that the bill be sent to another
person, and upon such a request the Water Department Clerk shall render
all bills therefor to the person or persons designated until advised,
in writing, to the contrary, provided that the property owner shall
at all times be responsible for any such bill.