The rates and charges for the use of the water facilities of
the town, as well as the charges and fees for connection thereto,
shall be as determined and established by the town council, from time
to time, and on file in the office of the town clerk.
(Ordinance 03-15 adopted 2003)
Every water bill that is not paid in full by its due date shall
be subject to interest on the unpaid balance of the bill. The interest
charged will be one percent (1%) per month for any unpaid balance.
(Ordinance 03-15, adopted 2003)
A.
The
town may institute a procedure to disconnect from its water system
the property of any customer whose water utility bill or sewer utility
bill is past due by thirty (30) days or more. No reconnection shall
be allowed until all delinquent charges and reconnection fees have
been paid in full and the town has issued a reconnection permit.
B.
In
order to disconnect the water service, a written notice shall be sent
to the customer giving such customer at least ten (10) days’
notice that the customer’s water service will be disconnected
unless the customer pays all charges which are then due and owing
within such ten (10) day period and notice of the customer’s
right to protest the town’s action at a hearing before a hearing
officer. The town manager or a person appointed by him or her shall
serve as hearing officer. The customer must request in writing that
a hearing be held and such request must be received by the department
of public utilities (“department”) before the date water
service is to be disconnected. At such hearing, the customer and the
department, both of whom may be represented by an attorney at their
respective sole expense, may present evidence and the hearing officer
shall affirm, overrule or modify the decision to disconnect water
service. The decision of the hearing officer shall be final. In the
event a hearing is requested in a timely manner, the water service
shall not be disconnected until and in accordance with the decision
of the hearing officer.
C.
Customers
who are delinquent in their payments may continue to receive service
if they make partial payments that are acceptable to the town; provided
that, if the customer is a tenant, the balance due is no greater than
the deposit amount for tenant occupied accounts, or if the customer
is an owner, the balance due is not greater than twice the deposit
amount for owner occupied accounts.
(Ordinance 03-15 adopted 2003)
A.
Except as may be provided in section 3-23-6.C New Mexico Statutes Annotated, 1978, compiled, as amended, the charges imposed herein are the personal responsibility of the owner(s) of the property as provided in section 13.08.070 of this chapter and the town may file a lien against the property for such charges and penalties. If a lien is filed per this section, the town may proceed to enforce the lien as provided by New Mexico statutes then in force.
B.
All
costs associated with the placement of the lien and/or the removal
of the lien shall be borne by the owner(s).
(Ordinance 03-15 adopted 2003)
