(a)
In
addition to connection fees and inspection fees for new construction
as provided in the plumbing code, the following user charge system
shall be charged to each connection for services provided by the city
for sewerage disposal. User charges shall be reviewed annually and
adjusted as needed to generate the necessary funds for operation and
maintenance of the sewerage system as decided on by the city council.
For the first 1,000 gallons of water used, a flat rate of $26.15
per month; for each additional 1,000 gallons of water used, a rate
of $3.05 per 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof will be charged. Sewer
service provided outside the city limits shall be at one and one-half
(1-1/2) times above the above rates.
(b)
Responsibility
for Payment of Fees.
Charges for sewage services of the
city shall be rendered to each householder with the monthly water
bills. Failure to pay such water bills and/or sewer charges shall
be sufficient cause for discontinuance of water service to any householder.
Where water service shall be cut off for any cause, reestablishment
of water service will be made only after payment of all past due bills
together with a reconnection fee as established by the city.
(Ordinance 243 adopted 10/19/21; Ordinance
249 adopted 4/18/2023; Ordinance 257 adopted 12/19/2023)
(b)
Where
more than one (1) living unit is served by the same meter, each living
unit shall be subject to a separate minimum for water and sewer.
(c)
Water
service provided outside the city limits shall be at one and three-fifths
(1-3/5) times the above rates.
(Ordinance 241 adopted 10/19/21; Ordinance
258 adopted 12/19/2023)
(Ordinance 231 adopted 11/15/16; Ordinance 238 adopted 12/17/19)
(a)
Deposit
Amounts.
All applicants for water and gas service shall
deposit with city as a guarantee of payment for utility bills, the
following meter deposits for each meter installed:
(1)
Gas meter: $200.00.
(2)
Water meter: $250.00.
(3)
Commercial meters to be based on the billing history of the prior
customer at the same address for a twelve-month average billing period,
a two (2) months average during this billing period will determine
the meter deposit amount; or an irrevocable letter of credit from
a bank equal to the above calculated amount may be used instead of
a cash deposit. In the event prior history is not available, billing
history will be determined on comparable commercial establishments.
(4)
Meter deposits shall be refunded only when a customer discontinues
service and after deducting any unpaid balances due the city. No interest
shall be paid on meter deposits.
(b)
Transfers.
Any customer that currently has utilities with the city and
wishes to transfer to another address within the city must update
all meter deposits to the current fee, as shown in this code, with
the exception of apartment transfers required by the city’s
housing authority.
(Ordinance 231 adopted 11/15/16; Ordinance 238 adopted 12/17/19)
Where services have been disconnected for failure to pay for
services rendered a reconnect fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00)
shall be made before services shall be restored. After hours reconnect
fee after disconnection for nonpayment (this is any reconnect that
is done after regular business hours of the city 8:00 a.m. to 4:00
p.m.) shall be one hundred and fifty dollars ($150.00).
(Ordinance 231 adopted 11/15/16; Ordinance
249 adopted 4/18/2023)
(b)
Gas
service provided outside the city limits shall be charged at the rate
one and one-fourth times the above rates.
(Ordinance 242 adopted 10/19/21; Ordinance
259 adopted 12/19/2023)
Checks returned by a bank for insufficient funds or account
closed will be charged thirty dollars ($30.00). The check will be
charged back to the account and the customer has seven (7) business
days in which to mail or bring in payment for the amount of the returned
check plus the thirty dollars ($30.00) returned/insufficient fund
check fee or the customer’s service will be subject to termination.
Upon termination of service the check will be given to small claims
court for further processing. Utility service will not be reestablished
until proper disposition of the returned check, fees, and any other
amounts owed to the city in connection with the customer’s utility
service are paid.
(Ordinance 218 adopted 10/21/08)
(a)
Upon
the death of any utility customer, the administrator of the deceased
customer’s estate or relative of the deceased customer has ten
(10) calendar days from the date of death to change the name on the
utility account to the relative or administrator of the estate and
pay required utility deposits.
(b)
If
the name is changed within the ten (10) calendar days, the meters
will be read and a final bill for the deceased customer will be generated
with any deposits paid by the deceased customer applied to the final
bill. Administrator of the deceased customer’s estate or relative
must provide the city with the appropriate address for the estate,
so that the final utility bill can be mailed to the appropriate address
for payment. Upon the date that the meter is read, the administrator
or relative will begin to receive the utility bill in his/her name.
(c)
If
the name is not changed within the ten (10) calendar days, then the
account and corresponding utility service will be disconnected, a
final bill generated with any deposits paid by the deceased customer
applied to the final bill. The final bill will be mailed to the last
known address.
(Ordinance 218 adopted 10/21/08)
