Users of the city water, except for the city, who do not comply with this article shall be subject to a penalty and fine of not more than $500.00 per day for each day of noncompliance and/or disconnection or discontinuance of water services to such users by the city.
(1972 Code, sec. 26-4(d); 1995 Code, sec. 52.99(A))
The city consents to the creation of the Central Water Control and Improvement District, a waiver of any claim it may have to object to the creation of the water control and improvement district and/or the improvements that are contemplated and/or the issuance of the revenue notes by the Central Water Control and Improvement District.
(1995 Code, sec. 52.75; Resolution 3563 adopted 3/5/2002)
(a) 
Water connection fees.
Water connection fees shall be as provided in the fee schedule. In new subdivisions where the developer installs water service lines to the property line in all lots within the subdivision, the connection fee for a three-quarter-inch water service line shall be reduced by $40.00.
(b) 
Installation of connection.
The city water and sewer department will make all water connections to the city main line outside and inside the city limits.
(1972 Code, sec. 26-2(a)(c); Ordinance 1358 adopted 1/21/1969; Ordinance 1536 adopted 8/8/1972; Ordinance 2672 adopted 5/3/1988; Ordinance 3000 adopted 1/18/1994; 1995 Code, sec. 52.01; Ordinance 3271 adopted 9/2/1997; Ordinance adopting Code)
(a) 
The charges provided in the fee schedule are established as water meter deposits for water meters used for city water service. Churches, Lufkin Independent School District, county offices and irrigation meters are exempt from water meter deposits. Meter deposits for industrial customers are assessed by individual agreement with the city.
(b) 
Water meter deposits of those customers that have demonstrated good pay records, will have their deposits credited to their accounts, without interest, after twelve months. A good pay record is defined as having made twelve consecutive timely payments with no cutoffs and no late fees. The city may accept a current (no more than one month old) letter of credit from another water utility or municipality in lieu of requiring a water meter deposit. The city may also accept the co-signature of a current city water customer with a good payment record in lieu of a deposit, provided the cosigner executes an agreement with the city for “co-signature in lieu of deposit.”
(c) 
Each family unit served by one water meter shall pay the minimum rate for water inside the city limits and at one and one-half times the rate outside the city limits.
(1972 Code, sec. 26-3; Ordinance 2101 adopted 3/17/1981; Ordinance 2852 adopted 9/17/1991; Ordinance 2900 adopted 9/1/1992; Ordinance 3065 adopted 10/4/1994; 1995 Code, sec. 52.02; Ordinance 3131 adopted 9/5/1995; Ordinance 3210 adopted 9/17/1996; Ordinance 3545 adopted 10/2/2001; Ordinance adopting Code)
(a) 
The utility collections department shall charge a water customer a tampering fee as provided in the fee schedule plus any charges for the meter and/or necessary components for the first occurrence of any of the following incidents:
(1) 
Broken meter lock.
(2) 
Damaged meter (any means other than natural uncontrollable incidents).
(3) 
Unauthorized connection inserted (jumper).
(4) 
Stolen meter placed for connection.
(5) 
Use of city cutoff causing damage which has is repaired by the city.
(6) 
Use of city cutoff to reconnect water service after city disconnects service.
(b) 
In the event of repeated violation regarding theft of service, the city will take the necessary steps to prevent water service from being accessed at that location. The city will plug the main line to prevent further customer usage and charge the customer a fee as provided in the fee schedule. All expenses related to the prevention of accessing water because of tampering will be charged to the person who is receiving the economic benefit of service.
(c) 
Stolen meter/jumper is placed for connection. If the customer is not an account holder with the city, at the location in question, then the account will be charged a flat consumption of 10,000 gallons for each month the meter was suspected to have been in the ground. Confirmation will be attained by contacting the other utility companies and verifying the date of service.
(d) 
The utility collections department shall charge a water customer as provided in the fee schedule per occurrence for removing a water meter due to discontinuance of water service for nonpayment of the bill in addition to current service charge as provided in the fee schedule.
(e) 
Criminal charges related to theft of water utility service may also be filed dependent upon circumstances and severity of the offense under Texas Penal Code, 28.03, section (a)–(f).
(1995 Code, sec. 52.03; Ordinance 4162 adopted 9/15/2009; Ordinance 4274 adopted 9/21/2010; Ordinance 4381 adopted 9/20/2011; Ordinance adopting Code; Ordinance 4652, sec. II, adopted 9/15/2015)
(a) 
All bills for services rendered by the water, sewer, solid waste and recycling utilities shall be paid monthly on the tenth day after the billing date. If not paid within ten days after the billing date, service shall be subject to disconnection. In the event the account becomes processed for cutoff because of delinquency, a charge as provided in the fee schedule shall be assessed.
(b) 
For each utility account holder 65 years of age and older, a charge as provided in the fee schedule shall be assessed for reconnection of utility service. Verification of customer’s age shall be required; acceptable proof of age being valid driver’s license, birth certificate or other third party documentation confirming birth date. For purposes of this section, a utility account holder is defined as the party whose name is recorded in the city’s utility billing system as responsible for payment of utilities.
(c) 
Emergency service call fee.
A charge as provided in the fee schedule shall be made for each emergency service call.
(1972 Code, sec. 26-73; Ordinance 1358 adopted 1/21/1969; Ordinance 2101 adopted 3/17/1981; Ordinance 2853 adopted 9/17/1991; Ordinance 2900 adopted 9/1/1992; 1995 Code, sec. 52.16; Ordinance 3065 adopted 10/4/1994; Ordinance 3131 adopted 9/5/1995; Ordinance 3429 adopted 11/2/1999; Ordinance 3483 adopted 9/5/2000; Ordinance 3545 adopted 10/2/2001; Ordinance adopting Code)