(a) 
The monthly rates or charges and fees for services furnished by the city’s water and wastewater systems and residential solid waste collection contractor shall be as set forth herein.
(b) 
Any customer who desires to connect to the water or wastewater system of the city must connect to both systems except when one of such services is not available. The charges fixed for the removal and disposal of garbage and other refuse shall be levied by the city against all residential water customers in the city. Residential solid waste collection services shall be available to out-of-city water customers at their request. Water, wastewater and solid waste collection services shall be treated as one bill; partial payment is unacceptable and will not prevent the entire account from becoming delinquent.
(c) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
(1) 
Connect to the city’s water or wastewater system without the consent of the city;
(2) 
Turn on or off any water from a street stop cock or to tap any street main or pipe belonging to the city, or to do any work in any street, alley, or public ground in connection with the installation of service connections without the consent of the city;
(3) 
Damage or destroy property of the city’s water or wastewater systems;
(4) 
Extend, replace, or repair lateral lines and/or septic tanks in areas where wastewater service is available;
(5) 
Tamper with, molest, damage, or trespass upon any equipment or premises belonging to the city’s water or wastewater system; or
(6) 
Fail or refuse to pay the charges specified herein. Where an apartment house or other building is served water through one meter, the person in whose name the water account stands shall be responsible for payment of all charges.
(d) 
Any authorized city inspector shall have access at all reasonable times to premises supplied with water or wastewater services by the city for the purpose of examination to protect the utilities from abusive use.
(e) 
The city shall not be liable for any damage to any utility customer caused by backflow of any wastewater system, failure of supply, interruption of service, or any other cause outside the direct control of the city.
(1996 Code, sec. 11.101)
Rates and charges are as provided for in the fee schedule found in appendix A to this code.
(Ordinance 807-05 adopted 10/17/05)
Customers not receiving water services, charges to be based on six thousand (6,000) gallons per month for application of above rates.
(1996 Code, sec. 11.103)
The water tap fee may be waived for new customers that are sixty-two (62) and over.
(1996 Code, sec. 11.104)
(a) 
Persons who desire to voluntarily contribute to the development of park facilities shall be entitled to do so by including an additional one dollar ($1.00) or more if they desire on the monthly municipal utilities bill. All monies received by the treasurer of the city in payment of said bills which represent said voluntary contributions are indicated thereon shall be deposited in a segregated fund and separately accounted for. Monies shall then be used and administrated by the city council for the development of a parks system within the city.
(b) 
In order to effectuate this provision, the city manager is hereby directed to amend and revise the municipal utilities monthly bill in order to enable individuals or persons desiring to make such contribution to indicate the same thereon.
(1996 Code, sec. 11.105)
In addition to the monthly rates above, the city may charge the fees and charges as provided for in the fee schedule found in appendix A to this code.
(1996 Code, sec. 11.106)
Any customer who desires service from the city’s water or wastewater systems shall make application therefor to the city, and must pay the required deposits at the time of application. All deposits shall be held by the city, without payment of interest thereon, until such service is terminated. Any unpaid balance owed to the city shall be deducted from the deposit and the remainder shall be refunded to the customer.
(1996 Code, sec. 11.107)
(a) 
Mailing.
The city shall mail a monthly bill to all customers of the city’s water and wastewater systems and to all residents for solid waste collection charges as provided in section 13.02.001(b) above.
(b) 
No consumption.
Customers with no water consumption during the month will be billed the minimum charge.
(c) 
Due date.
Payment of bills is due on the date shown on the billing statement.
(d) 
Returned checks.
There will be a returned check charge in the amount indicated in for any check written for payment of services rendered by the city water or wastewater utilities and returned for any reason.
Any check received for city services shall be presented twice for payment. If a check is returned for any reason, the writer of the check shall be notified by certified mail, return receipt requested, that payment of the check and the returned check charge must be made in full within ten (10) days of receipt of the letter. If any charge remains unpaid, the check and all accompanying documentation shall be forwarded to the city attorney for prosecution and collection.
(e) 
Delinquency.
Any bill not paid in full within fifteen (15) days of the due date shall be deemed past due, and a delinquent payment charge in the amount indicated in the fee schedule in appendix A to this code shall be assessed. When both water and wastewater services are included in a bill, payment in full for both services must be made or otherwise the entire bill will be considered delinquent. Any services for which charges continue to be delinquent for twenty (20) days from the due date are subject to termination by the city.
(f) 
Free service.
There shall be no free services provided. City departments using water and/or wastewater services shall pay the rates set out above.
(g) 
Installment payments.
In unusual circumstances and in limited cases, the city manager may, at his or her discretion, enter into a written agreement with a customer for extended or installment payments. The agreement shall provide that no fees or charges shall be waived, and failure to make any payment will render the entire amount due.
(1996 Code, sec. 11.108)
(a) 
Application.
All persons desiring water and wastewater service furnished by the city shall make application for the same to the appropriate city authority. Such application shall contain the applicant’s name, address, and the uses for which such water and wastewater service is desired. The city may decline or fail or cease to furnish water and wastewater service to any person who is indebted to the city for any reason, excepting ad valorem taxes and special assessments.
(b) 
Assumption of use.
All premises connected to the water and/or wastewater system of the city shall be assumed to be using such services, and the owner or occupant shall be charged therefor so long as such premises shall remain connected with the system.
(c) 
Meters.
Meters for the measurement of water or wastewater services furnished by the city shall be provided, installed by and remain the property of the city. All new construction where water and wastewater are available shall be equipped with two water meters, a water/wastewater meter and an irrigation meter. The water/wastewater meter shall be connected to the building or dwelling and shall measure water and wastewater usage. The irrigation meter shall be for irrigation purposes only, and shall measure water usage only. The installation of an irrigation system for existing dwellings or businesses shall also include the installation and connection to an irrigation meter.
(d) 
Authorized connections.
Connections to the water and wastewater systems of the city shall be made only under the supervision of the city. No person, other than employees of the city, shall be authorized to connect, turn on, turn off, or disconnect water or wastewater services of the city, or to remove, replace, or repair any equipment connected to such service. Any person violating any provision of this subsection shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and the city may refuse service to any such person.
(1996 Code, sec. 11.109; Ordinance 774-04 adopted 4/19/04)
(a) 
Basis.
The city shall have the right to disconnect or refuse to connect or reconnect any water or wastewater service for any of the following reasons:
(1) 
Failure of the customer to meet the applicable provisions of law;
(2) 
Violation by the customer of rules and regulations pertaining to utility services;
(3) 
Nonpayment of bills;
(4) 
Willful or negligent waste of service due to improper or imperfect pipes, fixtures, appliances, or otherwise;
(5) 
Molesting any meter, seal, or other equipment controlling or regulating the supply of utility service;
(6) 
Theft or diversion and/or use of service without payment therefor; or
(7) 
Vacancy of premises.
(b) 
Notice of termination.
Unless arrangements are made for extended or installment payments, accounts not paid in full within fifteen (15) days of the due date are delinquent. As soon thereafter as possible, a written notice shall be sent to the customer by regular mail informing the customer that service is subject to termination if all charges (including the delinquent payment charge) are not paid in full by the twentieth (20th) day after the bill becomes due. If payment in full is not received by the date specified in the notice, the city shall attempt to leave a tag on the door at the address to be disconnected prior to such disconnection. Failure of the city to so tag the premises shall not be a defense to any termination of service.
(c) 
Emergency termination.
The city reserves the right at any time to restrict or prevent the use of any service furnished by the city during periods of emergency or circumstances demanding such restriction or prevention of the use. Water and wastewater services may be cut off without notice in case of an emergency. When any interruption in service is necessary for the maintenance and improvement of the system affected, customers will be notified as circumstances permit.
(d) 
Reconnection.
No reconnections shall be made unless all fees and charges have been paid, unless provisions have been made for extended payments. A reconnect fee shall be assessed for all reconnections and shall be paid prior to such reconnection. City personnel shall be available after 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and weekends for reconnections on a standby and rotational basis. Cash payments to employees shall be strictly accounted for, and assignments shall be recorded and verified.
(1996 Code, sec. 11.110)