The city operates public utilities consisting of a waterworks system and a sanitary sewer system. The waterworks system and sanitary sewer system are operationally separate and distinct systems. The city may, with proper audit controls, provide for the deposit, payment of debts, and expenses from or to a common account that includes municipal public utilities, unless a special fund is required.
(Ordinance 415-97 adopted 12/16/97; Ordinance 479-02, sec. 2, adopted 3/19/02)
(a) 
Pursuant to section 552.0025 of the Tex. Loc. Gov. Code, the city shall perfect a lien on the real property of any real property owner that fails to pay for city-provided utility services, including but not limited to water and wastewater treatment, after receiving thirty (30) days’ written notice of the city’s intent to perfect said lien unless the customer pays for said services.
(b) 
Said lien for delinquent utility bills shall not apply to any category of real property owner specifically exempted from such a lien pursuant to the provisions of section 552.0025 of the Tex. Loc. Gov. Code, including:
(1) 
Homestead property;
(2) 
Property on which service was connected in a tenant’s name after notice that the property is rental property;
(3) 
Property with delinquent bills incurred prior to the effective date of this section.
(c) 
The city’s lien for delinquent utility bills shall be perfected by filing in the real property records of the county a notice of lien containing the legal description of the property and the account number for the delinquent charges. Said lien may include penalties, interest, and collection costs.
(Ordinance 398-96 adopted 11/19/96)