(a) 
Minimum rates.
The rates, charges, and fees for providing water and sewer service by the city to its customers shall be established by the city council in the comprehensive fee schedule of the city. The rates may differ for water service outside of the city limits and for residential and commercial customers. The rates may be charged as a base rate and volumetric rate. The base rate is the minimum bill that a residential or commercial customer would receive to equally share in providing the availability of service. The volumetric rate is the amount charged to a customer per 1,000 gallons used. The city may also establish charges for the purchase of bulk water or a tiered rate for commercial customers.
(b) 
Additional sanitation rates.
The city council shall set the rates and charges for sanitation service in the comprehensive fee schedule of the city. The rates may differ for residential and commercial customers.
(c) 
Senior citizen discount.
The water and sewer rates may include a discount for senior citizens with utility service in the city limits. Fees waived and removed for persons aged 65 years or older shall be waived and removed prospectively only and only upon and after a qualifying customer in whose name water or sewer utility service is provided presents the city with satisfactory proof of age. The city shall be under no obligation to research or otherwise determine the age of water or sewer utility customers. The city may but shall not be obligated to provide notice to its customers that they may be entitled to waiver and removal of certain fees. No customer shall be entitled to a refund of late or administrative fees or any other fee or rate waived or removed for persons aged 65 years or older that were previously paid to the city prior to such time that the customer presented the city with satisfactory proof of age.
(Ordinance 2002-12 adopted 9/12/02; Ordinance 2006-06 adopted 5/11/06; Ordinance 2012-01 adopted 2/14/12; Ordinance 2016-03 adopted 6/14/16; Ordinance 2024-10-03 adopted 10/24/2024)
(a) 
The city may assess fees and charges in connection with water and sewer service to its customers as provided in the city's comprehensive fee schedule, including the following:
(1) 
Service connection fee.
A fee for requesting water and sewer service.
(2) 
Check meter fee.
A fee for testing a city meter if the meter is found to be within accuracy levels. A meter is within accuracy levels when found to be plus or minus two percent or less.
(3) 
Returned payment fee.
A fee for a dishonored or returned check, money order, or bank draft.
(4) 
Late payment fee.
A fee for late payment, which means it is not received by 5:00 p.m. on the due date.
(5) 
After-hours reconnect fee.
A fee for the city reconnecting service outside normal business hours.
(6) 
Reconnect or disconnect fee.
A fee for reconnecting or disconnecting a meter.
(7) 
Meter relocation fee.
A fee to relocate a meter.
(b) 
Fees for such utility service shall include any and all surcharges imposed by the Prairieland Groundwater Conservation District on the city for water use, or any legal fee or surcharge imposed by another district or other entity on the city for utility services, in an amount equal to the amount the city is charged. Such fees shall be listed as a line item on each customer's bill and identified according to the name of the district or other entity imposing the surcharge or fee.
(Ordinance 2011-05 adopted 6/14/11; Ordinance 2024-10-03 adopted 10/24/2024)
As a condition of service, the city may require a new customer to pay a deposit at the time the application is submitted. The amount of the deposit shall be established by the city council in the comprehensive fee schedule of the city. The deposit shall be held by the city so long as the customer is using the service. Upon termination of service, the deposit will be applied against any unpaid balance owed for city services. Any remaining balance will be refunded.
(Ordinance 2012-01 adopted 2/14/12; Ordinance 2024-10-03 adopted 10/24/2024)
(a) 
Customers of the city shall generally be permitted to pay their utility bills by personal check.
(b) 
In the event that a customer shall pay or attempt to make payment of a bill to the city with a check that is returned to the city for insufficient funds, no existing account, or other means that constitute an invalid or fraudulent type of payment, the customer shall no longer be permitted to make any payment to the city with a personal check for any reason.
(Ordinance 2012-01 adopted 2/14/12; Ordinance 2024-10-03 adopted 10/24/2024)
(a) 
In an effort to prevent fraud, the applicant requesting service may only be the owner of the property on which the utility service is provided, or the direct lessee of the property owner. Sublessees, or other individuals who are living at the service address or are relatives of the lessee or property owner are not permitted to open a utility account in the city for that service address. The city may require proof of ownership and/or copy of a lease prior to opening an account.
(b) 
The city may refuse to accept an application for service from a third party for whom the city has reliable information indicating that he or she is attempting to obtain service for another person who has had utility service terminated for lack of payment or for another authorized reason and who is attempting, by using such third party, to obtain service in order to avoid paying such delinquent bill or to otherwise come into compliance with the city's ordinances or service agreement.
(Ordinance 2012-01 adopted 2/14/12; Ordinance 2024-10-03 adopted 10/24/2024)