(A) Meters
will be read and customers billed on the basis of the meter reading
to the nearest 100 gallons. A charge will then be made based on the
rates established by the City Council.
(B) The
Water Department will keep an accurate account on its books of all
readings of meters, and such account, so kept, shall be offered at
all times, places, and courts as prima facie evidence of the use of
water service by the customer.
(Ord. 348 §11.1, 1984; Ord. 427 §1, 1997)
Where meters have not been installed, the customer will be billed
on the basis of the minimum monthly charge for the size and class
of service supplied to the customer.
(Ord. 348 §11.2, 1984; Ord. 427 §1, 1997)
Meters shall be read and bills shall be rendered monthly.
(Ord. 348 §11.3.1, 1984; Ord. 427 §1, 1997)
Opening or closing bills or bills that for any other reason
cover a period containing 10% more days or 10% less days than in the
normal billing period shall be prorated.
(Ord. 348 §11.3.2, 1984; Ord. 427 §1, 1997)
All meters supplying a customer's premises shall be billed separately,
except that where the Water Department has, for operating purposes,
installed two or more meters in place of one, the readings may be
combined for billing.
(Ord. 348 §11.3.3, 1984; Ord. 427 §1, 1997)
When a customer disputes the correctness of a bill, he/she shall
deposit the amount of the disputed bill at the time the complaint
is lodged, to preclude discontinuance of service pending final settlement
of the bill or bills. Subsequent bills shall be paid or placed on
deposit in a similar manner. Failure of the customer to make such
a deposit shall warrant discontinuance of service, as provided under
these Rules and Regulations.
(Ord. 348 §11.4, 1984; Ord. 427 §1, 1997)
In the event that it shall be impossible or impractical to read
a meter on the regular reading date, the water consumption shall be
prorated on the basis of 30 days per month, and the total water consumption
for billing purposes for the period shall be estimated.
(Ord. 348 §11.5, 1984; Ord. 427 §1, 1997)
Each bill rendered shall contain the final date on which payment
is due. If the bill is not paid by that date, the account shall be
considered delinquent unless other arrangements have been made with
the City Council, in writing, that specify another due date.
(Ord. 348 §11.6, 1984; Ord. 427 §1, 1997)
A reminder of account delinquency shall be sent, at the discretion
of the City Recorder, to each delinquent account on or about five
days after the account becomes delinquent.
(Ord. 348 §11.7.1, 1984; Ord. 412 §1, 1996; Ord. 427 §1, 1997)
On or about 10 days after an account becomes delinquent, a turnoff
notice shall be sent to the customer. Said notice shall state a date
on which water will be turned off if the delinquent account is not
paid in full prior thereto.
(Ord. 348 §11.7.2, 1984; Ord. 427 §1, 1997)
On the turnoff date, the meter reader or other agent of the
Water Department shall deliver or post a written notice to the customer
stating that the water service is being turned off until all delinquent
amounts have been paid. The meter reader or other agent of the Water
Department shall immediately thereafter turn off the service. A delivery,
to any person residing at the address served by the meter shall be
considered a delivery to the customer. If there is no person present
at the address served, then the notice may be posted on the premises
stating that water service will be discontinued on the following morning;
the meter reader shall return to the premises the following morning,
shut off the water service, and leave a notice that the water service
has been turned off until all delinquent accounts have been paid.
(Ord. 348 §11.7.3, 1984; Ord. 427 §1, 1997)
In all instances where water has been turned off because of
delinquent accounts, a delinquent charge, according to the Water Rate
Schedule, shall be made for the restoration of service, and replacement
of the cash deposit will also be required.
(Ord. 348 §11.7.4, 1984; Ord. 427 §1, 1997; Ord. 446 §8, 1998)
In cases of extreme hardship, the City Recorder shall have the
discretion of renewing service to a delinquent account upon receipt
of a satisfactory installment plan for the payment of the overdue
amount, including the delinquent charge.
(Ord. 348 §11.7.5, 1984; Ord. 412 §2, 1996; Ord. 427 §1, 1997)
In the event any water bill or charge provided for by these
Rules and Regulations shall not be paid within 30 days after the water
bill or charge becomes due, the City Recorder shall notify either
the legal or equitable owner of the real property where the water
was used or charge incurred, by registered mail, the amount of the
water bill or charge, the description of the real property involved,
and a statement that if the water bill or charge is not paid within
15 days from the date said notice is mailed, that the real property
involved will be subject to a municipal lien in the amount of the
delinquent water bill or charge plus any other fees. If payment is
not made within the 15-day period, the City Recorder shall enter in
the Lien Docket of the City of Yamhill a municipal lien against the
real property. At any time after 60 days from the date the lien was
docketed, if the lien is still unpaid and unsatisfied, the City of
Yamhill shall proceed to foreclose the lien against the real property
therein described in the manner provided for by Sections 223.505 to
223.650, Oregon Revised Statutes as may be subsequently amended.
(Ord. 348 §11.7.6, 1984; Ord. 427 §1, 1997)