[1]
Editor's note—Former Ch. 52 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from the Code of 1965, §§ 21-22; Ordinance 76, adopted 4/6/1953; Ordinance 215, adopted 3/20/1961; Ordinance 313, adopted 9/19/1966; Ordinance 378, adopted 1/6/1969; Ordinance 505, adopted 9/18/1972; Ordinance 541, adopted 9/17/1973; Ordinance 583, adopted 9/16/1974; Ordinance 637, adopted 9/22/1975; Ordinance 695, adopted 10/4/1976; Ordinance 740, adopted 10/3/1977; Ordinance 804, adopted 9/18/1978; Ordinance 870, adopted 9/17/1979; Ordinance 966, adopted 10/6/1981; Ordinance 1015, adopted 9/21/1982; Ordinance 1076, adopted 9/20/1983; Ordinance 1124, adopted 9/18/1984; Ordinance 1189, adopted 8/20/1985; Ordinance 1237, adopted 2/4/1986; Ordinance 1307, adopted 9/2/1986; Ordinance 1421, adopted 9/15/1987; Ordinance 1654, adopted 9/18/1990; Ordinance 1661, adopted 10/16/1990; Ordinance 1959, adopted 2/1/1994.
(A) 
Definitions.
For the purpose of this section the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
Apartment use.
A structure of more than one dwelling unit located in any triplex, four-plex or multi-family zoning district.
Commercial use.
Structures that are retail, commercial and industrial uses as defined by the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance 1470.
Month.
A period of time between water meter readings.
Residential use.
A structure built and occupied for single-family residential uses and including all structures authorized in the following zoning districts:
(1) 
All R districts.
(2) 
All SF districts.
(3) 
Duplex districts.
Volume.
(1) 
Residential sewer use is calculated using the average water consumption for meter readings taken for the January, February and March bills as the estimated sewer volume per month. The number thus calculated as the average rate will be applied to April's bill and will be used for the subsequent 12 bills, when a recalculation in the same manner shall occur.
(2) 
The number thus calculated as the average rate will be applied to bills prepared after April 1 and used for the subsequent 12 billing cycles, when a recalculation in the same manner shall occur.
(B) 
Monthly rates are established by ordinance as set forth in chapter 31 of this Code and shall be collected for sanitary sewer services furnished by the city.
(Ordinance 4174, adopted 12/5/2023)
The rates and charges fixed by this subchapter shall be paid by the users of the waterworks and sanitary sewer system to the Utility Customer Service Department in advance of the billed due date each month which shall be no less than 14 days after the day the bill is generated, unless a different schedule has been approved by the Director or their designee.
(Ordinance 4174, adopted 12/5/2023)
(A) 
Notice.
The city will discontinue utility service to customers for nonpayment of bills only after notice is given. The city's form for application for utility service and all notices shall contain clearly visible and easily readable provisions to the effect:
(1) 
That all bills are due and payable on or before the date set forth on the bill;
(2) 
That if any bill is not paid by or before that date, a text or email notification containing a cutoff notice that if the bill is not paid within ten days, service will be discontinued for nonpayment; and
(3) 
That any customer disputing the correctness of their bill shall have a right to request an adjustment.
(B) 
Requests for adjustments.
The Utility Billing Department may require any request for a utility billing adjustment to be in writing. Written requests shall include the name of the account holder, service address, contact information, reason for the requested adjustment and any supporting documents. The customer shall provide all information requested by the city and deemed necessary to make a determination on the request. Only adjustments necessary to correct billing errors for bills issued within the past three (3) calendar months will be considered. A review of billing and an adjustment may be made beyond the three (3) calendar months only when the customer has met all requirements of the city's Water Leak Adjustment Policy outlined in the city's Water Conservation and Drought Contingency Plan under section 52.020.
(C) 
Response to written requests for adjustment.
The Utility Billing Department will respond to the written request for adjustment within ten (10) business days after receiving from the customer all the information necessary to make a determination on the request.
(D) 
In the absence of payment of the bill rendered or an approved request for a due date extension, service will be discontinued at the time specified.
(E) 
When it becomes necessary for the city to discontinue utility service to a customer for nonpayment of bills, service will be reinstated only after all bills for service then due have been paid and any required deposit has been made.
(F) 
Notice of pending disconnection for nonpayment fee ("late fee")/interruption day service fee ("disconnection fee") waiver.
With the City Manager or designee's approval, either the late fee or the disconnection fee may be waived under the following circumstances:
(1) 
The customer has submitted a written request for a waiver of the late or disconnection fee within 30 days of the cutoff notice;
(2) 
The customer has not received a waiver for either a late or disconnection fee within the preceding 12-month period; and
(3) 
A customer may not receive more than two waivers in a 5-year period.
(Ordinance 4174, adopted 12/5/2023; Ordinance 4235 adopted 12/3/2024)