No free water, sewer or trash service shall be allowed, and, to the extent that the city or any part of its agencies or instrumentalities avail themselves of the services and facilities provided by the water, sanitary sewer or trash system, they shall pay therefor the same rates and charges herein prescribed.
(1977 Code, sec. 13-1; 2004 Code, sec. 13.201(b))
The city hereby prohibits, to the extent that it legally may, the installation or operation of any public or private waterworks or sanitary sewer system within the corporate limits of the city other than that owned by the city, and connection to the city’s waterworks and sanitary sewer system shall be mandatory in all instances where such requirement can be reasonably and legally made.
(1977 Code, sec. 13-1; Ordinance 538, sec. 11, adopted 2/18/02; 2004 Code, secs. 13.201(b), 13.221)
(a) 
Water rates.
On or after the beginning periods of each of the phases listed hereafter, each customer in whose name a water meter is registered with the city shall pay the following rate for water recorded from the city through said meter. Billing is based on consumption of units of one thousand gallons. Any consumption of less than a one thousand gallon unit will not be billed in the current billing cycle, but will count toward the volume included in the next billing cycle. (For example, if 3,500 gallons are recorded by the meter in February, then the bill for February’s consumption will be for 3,000 gallons, and the bill for March will include the remaining 500 gallons recorded in February.)
(1) 
Phase I: Effective dates 12/11/2019–1/18/2021.
(A) 
A rate of $0.00 per 1,000 gallons (or any part thereof) per month for any and all water, up to and including three thousand gallons (3,000 gallons) recorded through said meter.
(B) 
A rate of $3.19 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of three thousand one gallons, up to and including ten thousand gallons (3,001–10,000 gallons) for any and all water recorded through said meter.
(C) 
A rate of $3.67 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of ten thousand one gallons, up to and including fifty thousand gallons (10,001–50,000 gallons) for any and all water recorded through said meter.
(D) 
A rate of $4.22 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of fifty thousand one gallons or greater (50,001+ gallons) for any and all water recorded through said meter.
(E) 
Each customer in whose name a water meter is registered with the city shall also pay the following monthly rate for each water meter as determined by the meter size indicated below:
Meter Size
Monthly Rate for Each Meter
5/8"
$10.00
3/4"
$11.25
1"
$13.75
1-1/2"
$20.00
2"
$27.50
3"
$45.00
4"
$70.00
(2) 
Phase II: Effective dates 1/19/2021–1/17/2022.
(A) 
A rate of $0.00 per 1,000 gallons (or any part thereof) per month for any and all water, up to and including three thousand gallons (3,000 gallons) recorded through said meter.
(B) 
A rate of $3.41 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of three thousand one gallons, up to and including ten thousand gallons (3,001–10,000 gallons) for any and all water recorded through said meter.
(C) 
A rate of $3.93 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of ten thousand one gallons, up to and including fifty thousand gallons (10,001–50,000) for any and all water recorded through said meter.
(D) 
A rate of $4.51 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of fifty thousand one gallons or greater (50,001+ gallons) for any and all water recorded through said meter.
(E) 
Each customer in whose name a water meter is registered with the city shall also pay the following monthly rate for each water meter as determined by the meter size indicated below:
Meter Size
Monthly Rate for Each Meter
5/8"
$10.70
3/4"
$12.04
1"
$14.71
1-1/2"
$21.40
2"s
$29.43
3"
$48.15
4"
$74.90
(3) 
Phase III: Effective dates 1/18/2022–1/18/2023.
(A) 
A rate of $0.00 per 1,000 gallons (or any part thereof) per month for any and all water, up to and including three thousand gallons (3,000 gallons) recorded through said meter.
(B) 
A rate of $3.65 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of three thousand one gallons, up to and including ten thousand gallons (3,001–10,000 gallons) for any and all water recorded through said meter.
(C) 
A rate of $4.20 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of ten thousand one gallons, up to and including fifty thousand (10,001–50,000 gallons) for any and all water recorded through said meter.
(D) 
A rate of $4.83 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of fifty thousand one gallons or greater (50,001+ gallons) for any and all water recorded through said meter.
(E) 
Each customer in whose name a water meter is registered with the city shall also pay the following monthly rate for each water meter as determined by the meter size indicated below:
Meter Size
Monthly Rate for Each Meter
5/8"
$11.45
3/4"
$12.88
1"
$15.74
1-1/2"
$22.90
2"
$31.48
3"
$51.52
4"
$80.14
(4) 
Phase IV: Effective dates 1/19/2023–1/16/2024.
(A) 
A rate of $0.00 per 1,000 gallons (or any part thereof) per month for any and all water, up to and including three thousand gallons (3,000 gallons) recorded through said meter.
(B) 
A rate of $3.91 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of three thousand one gallons, up to and including ten thousand gallons (3,001–10,000) for any and all water recorded through said meter.
(C) 
A rate of $4.49 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of ten thousand one gallons, up to and including fifty thousand gallons (10,001–50,000 gallons) for any and all water recorded through said meter.
(D) 
A rate of $5.17 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of fifty thousand one gallons or greater (50,001+ gallons) for any and all water recorded through said meter.
(E) 
Each customer in whose name a water meter is registered with the city shall also pay the following monthly rate for each water meter as determined by the meter size indicated below:
Meter Size
Monthly Rate for Each Meter
5/8"
$12.25
3/4"
$13.78
1"
$16.84
1-1/2"
$24.50
2"
$33.69
3"
$55.13
4"
$85.75
(5) 
Phase V: Effective date 1/17/2024.
(A) 
A rate of $0.00 per 1,000 gallons (or any part thereof) per month for any and all water, up to and including three thousand gallons (3,000 gallons) recorded through said meter.
(B) 
A rate of $4.18 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of three thousand one gallons, up to and including ten thousand gallons (3,001–10,000 gallons) for any and all water recorded through said meter.
(C) 
A rate of $4.81 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of ten thousand one gallons, up to and including fifty thousand gallons (10,001–50,000 gallons) for any and all water recorded through said meter.
(D) 
A rate of $5.53 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of fifty thousand one gallons or greater (50,001+ gallons) for any and all water recorded through said meter.
(E) 
Each customer in whose name a water meter is registered with the city shall also pay the following monthly rate for each water meter as determined by the meter size indicated below:
Meter Size
Monthly Rate for Each Meter
5/8"
$13.11
3/4"
$14.75
1"
$18.02
1-1/2"
$26.22
2"
$36.05
3"
$58.99
4"
$91.74
(b) 
Sewer rate.
Each customer in whose name a water meter is registered with the city, other than those that are not connected to the city sanitary sewer system and those discharging industrial waste into the city sanitary sewer system, shall pay the following monthly rate for use of the sanitary sewer system of the city, on or after the beginning periods of each of the phases listed hereafter.
(1) 
Phase I: Effective Dates 12/11/2019–1/18/2021.
(A) 
A rate of $0.00 per 1,000 gallons (or any part thereof) per month for any and all sewage, up to and including three thousand gallons (3,000 gallons).
(B) 
A rate of $4.95 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of three thousand one gallons or greater (3,001+ gallons) for any and all sewage.
(C) 
Each customer in whose name a water meter is registered with the city shall also pay a minimum monthly rate of $10.00.
(2) 
Phase II: Effective dates 1/19/2021–1/17/2022.
(A) 
A rate of $0.00 per 1,000 gallons (or any part thereof) per month for any and all sewage, up to and including three thousand gallons (3,000 gallons).
(B) 
A rate of $5.45 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of three thousand one gallons or greater (3,001+ gallons) for any and all sewage.
(C) 
Each customer in whose name a water meter is registered with the city shall also pay a minimum monthly rate of $11.00.
(3) 
Phase III: Effective date 1/18/2022–1/18/2023.
(A) 
A rate of $0.00 per 1,000 gallons (or any part thereof) per month for any and all sewage, up to and including three thousand gallons (3,000 gallons).
(B) 
A rate of $5.99 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of three thousand one gallons or greater (3,001+) for any and all sewage.
(C) 
Each customer in whose name a water meter is registered with the city shall also pay a minimum monthly rate of $12.10.
(4) 
Phase IV: Effective date 1/19/2023–1/16/2024.
(A) 
A rate of $0.00 per 1,000 gallons (or any part thereof) per month for any and all sewage, up to and including three thousand gallons (3,000 gallons).
(B) 
A rate of $6.53 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of three thousand one gallons or greater (3,001+) for any and all sewage.
(C) 
Each customer in whose name a water meter is registered with the city shall also pay a minimum monthly rate of $13.19.
(5) 
Phase V: Effective date 1/17/2024.
(A) 
A rate of $0.00 per 1,000 gallons (or any part thereof) per month for any and all sewage, up to and including three thousand gallons (3,000 gallons).
(B) 
A rate of $7.12 per 1,000 gallons per month for volumes of three thousand one gallons or greater (3,001+) for any and all sewage.
(C) 
Each customer in whose name a water meter is registered with the city shall also pay a minimum monthly rate of $14.38.
(c) 
Basis for charges.
Sewer charges for residential (single-family dwelling) customers will be based on the average metered water usage by customer for the period December, January, and February of each year, based on the most recent average, and will be in effect for the next twelve-month period, beginning in March. Commercial customer charges will be based on actual water consumption per month. Sewer system customers that are not connected to the city water system, or otherwise cannot establish an average, will be charged $31.50 per month.
(Ordinance 538, sec. 4, 6, adopted 2/18/02; 2004 Code, sec. 13.202(a), (c), (d); Ordinance 644 adopted 5/23/11; Ordinance 649 adopted 12/11/11; Ordinance adopting 2016 Code; Ordinance 686 adopted 1/16/17; Ordinance 696 adopted 5/21/18; Ordinance 713 adopted 10/2/19; Ordinance 716 adopted 12/16/19)
The rates to be charged any customer discharging industrial waste into the sanitary sewer system of the city shall be determined for each customer in proportion to the volume of water and waste discharged, and shall be set by the city manager under guidelines accepted by the city council.
(Ordinance 538, sec. 7, adopted 2/18/02; 2004 Code, sec. 13.301(a))
(a) 
Application for service and deposits.
Application to connect with water and/or sewer and/or trash service must be made by the owner or authorized agent of the property in writing, along with the presentation of a valid driver's license and social security number of the applicant. The minimum deposit must be paid before service will be provided and shall be as follows:
(1) 
Residential account: $100.00.
(2) 
Commercial account: $150.00.
(3) 
If the applicant does not possess a valid driver's license and social security number, then a minimum deposit fee of $200.00 must be paid before service will be provided.
Any deposit paid in accordance with this section shall be refunded upon disconnection from the water, sewer and trash service of the city, or when water, and/or sewer, and/or trash service is no longer needed (outside city limits customers only), less any sums which remain due and owing to the city by said customer for water, sewer or trash service rendered by the city prior to discontinuation of service.
(4) 
Application for fire hydrant use and deposit: The minimum deposit of $1,000.00 must be paid before services will be provided.
Any deposit paid for fire hydrant use shall be refunded upon disconnection from the water service of the city, less any sums which remain due and owing to the city by said customer for water use and/or damage repair to the fire hydrant or fire hydrant meter prior to discontinuation of service.
(b) 
Connect fee.
Each customer making connection with the water and/or sewer system and/or requesting trash service of the city shall pay a "connect fee" of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each "connection."
(c) 
Due date for payment of charges; late payment penalty.
The rates and charges fixed and prescribed by this chapter shall be due and payable at city hall on or before the tenth (10th) day of each month. In the event that such rates and charges are not paid in full by the tenth (10th) day of each month, a penalty of 10% of the amount due and payable shall be added to such rates and charges. Any payment received by mail and postmarked no later than the tenth (10th) day of the month shall not be considered late and shall not be charged the penalty fee.
(d) 
Disconnection of service.
(1) 
In the event a customer fails to pay the rates and charges at the time specified in subsection (c) of this section, the city shall mail to the customer by ordinary mail at the address shown by city records a second bill including notice that, if the rates and charges plus the penalty are not paid on or before the tenth (10th) day after the second bill is mailed, the city shall cause the utilities to be disconnected.
(2) 
In the event of an accountholder's death, the city shall mail to the customer's address by ordinary mail at the address shown by city records, a 30-day notice of disconnection of service in the deceased person's name. New service for the deceased person's address must be established in a living person's name, in accordance with the provisions of this section, if water and/or sewer and/or trash service is to remain active.
(e) 
Resumption of service; reconnection fee.
Any customer of the utility services furnished by the city whose utility services have been disconnected or terminated for the nonpayment of the rates and charges may have such utility services resumed by paying all rates, charges and penalties due by him or her to the city, as well as a "reconnection fee" of $25.00.
(f) 
Delay or waiver of payment.
Requests for delays or waiver of payment will not be entertained; only questions of proper and correct billing will be considered. In the absence of payment of the bill rendered, service will be disconnected at the time specified.
(Ordinance 538, secs. 1–3, adopted 2/18/02; 2004 Code, sec. 13.203; Ordinance 597 adopted 9/18/06; Ordinance adopting 2016 Code; Ordinance 678 adopted 3/21/16; Ordinance 704 adopted 1/21/19; Ordinance 765 adopted 7/15/2024)
In the event that a statement for utility services has not been satisfied within thirty (30) days after the customer has disconnected services, the city may file a notice of lien on property owned in the county by the account holder, in the amount past due, plus penalties, interest, and collection costs. Said notice of lien shall contain a legal description of the property, the city’s account number for the utility customer, and the amount of money owed to the city, including penalties, interest, and collection costs.
(Ordinance 569 adopted 6/21/04; 2004 Code, art. 13.800)