No customer of the municipal light, water and sewer system shall
receive free service.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 2A; 2001
Code, sec. 13.201)
The city council shall establish electric, water and sewer rates
to provide the highest quality service for the lowest possible rates.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 2B; 2001
Code, sec. 13.202)
The city secretary shall administer the following billing procedures:
(1)
All utility bills for a given month’s service shall be issued
and mailed prior to the first day of the following month, at which
time the bill is due and payable.
(2)
A bill shall be considered delinquent if payment is not received
in the utility department by 5:00 p.m. on the 10th of the month following
billing, except when the 10th falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday.
Delinquency shall be postponed until 5:00 p.m. on the first following
workday.
(3)
All delinquent accounts shall be assessed a penalty of ten (10) percent
of the monthly bill.
(4)
Services shall be interrupted to any customer whose account is five
(5) days delinquent. In the event that the 5th day falls on a Friday,
Saturday, Sunday or holiday, service interruption shall occur on the
first following working day.
(5)
All customers whose service has been interrupted for nonpayment of
bills shall be assessed a fee as set by resolution of the city council.
The reconnect fee and account balance must be paid in full before
service will be reconnected. The first interruption of service for
nonpayment will not require an additional deposit. The second interruption
of service for nonpayment may require an additional deposit.
(6)
To waive a penalty assessment where an unusual customer hardship
would otherwise result, or under circumstances where a penalty assessment
is inappropriate or incorrect.
(7)
To use discretion to continue utility service to a delinquent customer
for no longer than thirty (30) days past the service interruption
date.
(8)
To negotiate and enforce through proper legal action special payment
agreements with any delinquent customer.
(9)
To require an additional utility deposit of any delinquent customer.
The total deposit may not exceed the amount as set by resolution of
the city council.
(10)
The city shall assess a fee set by resolution of the city council
and on file with the city secretary for any bill paid by bad check.
The city reserves the right to refuse acceptance of payment by check
from a customer that has made payment more than once by bad check.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 2C; 2001
Code, sec. 13.203; Ordinance 2310-409 adopted 10/13/03)
Meter tampering shall be controlled as follows:
(1)
Any customer who knowingly tampers with or circumvents the city’s water meters shall have service interrupted and be assessed [a penalty] in accordance with the general penalty provision set forth in section 1.01.009 of this code.
(2)
Any customer who knowingly tampers with or circumvents the city’s
electric meters shall be subject to criminal prosecution as specified
in Texas Penal Code, section 28.03.
(1987 Code, ch. 10, sec. 2D; 2001
Code, sec. 13.204)
