All rates and charges, including any and all amendments, for electricity, natural gas, telephone services, and garbage collection are adopted by reference and incorporated fully as if set out herein. Copies of ordinances and resolutions setting forth current rates and charges shall be kept on file and be available for public inspection in the office of the city secretary.
Editor’s note–Water and sewer provisions were previously included in the above section; however, with the inclusion of Ordinance 634 adopted 2/11/14, these provisions are now codified below.
(2002 Code, sec. 50.01)
The following rates per month shall be the rates charged for water services furnished to residential customers and commercial customers within the corporate limits of the city, until revised by the city council by subsequent ordinance:
(a) 
Water rates within the city.
The following rates per month shall be the rates charged for water services furnished to residential customers and commercial customers within the corporate limits of the city, until revised by the city council by subsequent ordinance:
(1) 
Base rate (up to 3,000 gallons): $44.00.
(2) 
3,000 to 10,000 gallons: $5.25 per 1,000 gallons.
(3) 
11,000 to 25,000 gallons: $5.50 per 1,000 gallons.
(4) 
26,000 to 50,000 gallons: $6.00 per 1,000 gallons.
(5) 
51,000 to 100,000 gallons: $6.75 per 1,000 gallons.
(6) 
101,000 gallons and up: $7.25 per 1,000 gallons.
(7) 
Residential customers over the age of 65 shall receive the senior citizen discount of $3.00 off the base rate. Senior rate $41.00.
(b) 
Base water rate for senior citizens over 75 years of age.
This subsection establishes a base water rate for indigent senior citizens over 75 years old who use less than 3,000 gallons of water per month. A discounted rate applies, but if their usage exceeds 3,000 gallons, the senior base rate of $41.00 will be charged. The subsection excludes commercial businesses, sprinkler systems, rental properties, and livestock water tanks. To receive this rate, customers must sign up for the discount and provide valid identification.
(1) 
Residential customers (non-commercial and non-sprinkler system) over the age of 75 base rate (up to 3,000 gallons): $20.00.
(2) 
Over 3,000 gallons base rate: $41.00+ the gallon usage.
(3) 
3,000 to 10,000 gallons: $5.25 per 1,000 gallons.
(4) 
11,000 to 25,000 gallons: $5.50 per 1,000 gallons.
(5) 
26,000 to 50,000 gallons: $6.00 per 1,000 gallons.
(6) 
51,000 to 100,000 gallons: $6.75 per 1,000 gallons.
(7) 
101,000 gallons and up: $7.25 per 1,000 gallons.
(c) 
Water rates outside the city.
The following rates per month shall be the rates charged for water services furnished to residential customers and commercial customers outside the corporate limits of the city, until revised by the city council by subsequent ordinance:
(1) 
Base rate (up to 3,000 gallons): $51.70.
(2) 
3,000 to 10,000 gallons: $5.50 per 1,000 gallons.
(3) 
11,000 to 25,000 gallons: $5.75 per 1,000 gallons.
(4) 
26,000 to 50,000 gallons: $6.25 per 1,000 gallons.
(5) 
51,000 to 100,000 gallons: $7.00 per 1,000 gallons.
(6) 
101,000 gallons and up: $7.50 per 1,000 gallons.
(d) 
Debt service charges.
Every residential customer and commercial customer shall be charged monthly debt service charges of $6.75 and $2.50.
(e) 
Sale of bulk water.
(1) 
An individual or entity desiring to rent a bulk water meter from the city shall apply with the city and deposit with the city secretary or their designee the amount of $600.00 as a deposit during the period of rental. If payment of the deposit is by check, the city will install the bulk water meter after the check clears and the funds are deposited in a city bank account. At the end of the rental period, if the renter is current on the payment and the bulk water meter is undamaged, the city will refund the deposit to the renter. Any unpaid fees or cost to repair a bulk water meter will be deducted from the deposit. If any amount is deducted from a deposit, the city will provide an invoice showing the amount deducted. If the deductions are less than the amount of the deposit, the city will return the remaining amount within 30 days of the end of the rental period.
(2) 
City staff will be responsible for the installation, maintenance, and removal of a bulk water meter. The individual or entity renting the bulk water meter will be provided a key or code to access the meter during the period of rental. All water taken through a bulk water meter during the period of rental will be charged to the individual or entity that rented the bulk water meter.
(3) 
An individual or entity will designate the rental term and must notify the city at least five (5) business days before the end of the rental term if they intend to utilize the meter for a period longer than the rental term.
(4) 
All vehicles and containers used by an individual or entity in the transfer of the water from the city utility system shall be equipped with proper backflow prevention devices, including, but not limited to, such devices such as: (A) an air gap 1-1/2 times the diameter of the fill pipe, with a minimum of 2 inches, or (B) a reduced pressure zone (RPZ) device, with proof of satisfactory testing within the past year. All such vehicles and containers used in the transfer of water from the city utility system shall receive prior inspection and approval by the person in charge of the city water department or his designee to ensure compliance with this backflow prevention policy.
(5) 
An individual or entity renting a bulk water meter will pay to the city for the rental of the bulk water meter a fee of $40.00 per month during the rental period, whether the renter uses the meter during that month or not. If the renter requests the removal of the bulk water meter prior to the end of the rental term, the city will not refund any portion of the monthly rental amount.
(6) 
The bulk water rate charged for bulk water purchases shall be the sum of $5.00 per two hundred fifty (250) gallons of water. Bulk water will only be sold in 250-gallon increments.
(7) 
The city will mail out invoices for the rental of bulk water meters and water usage through the bulk water meters at the beginning of each month for the previous month. If a renter fails to pay the full amount owed according to the invoice by the 15th day of the month in which the invoice is mailed, the city will remove the bulk water meter and deduct the unpaid amount from the deposit. The renter will be required to pay the past due amount, an administrative reconnect fee of $40.00, and bring the deposit back to $600.00 prior to the city reinstalling the bulk water meter.
(8) 
For the coin-operated bulk water fill location located on the corner of E 8th Street and S Avenue H and available to the public, the bulk water rate shall be the sum of $5.00 per two hundred fifty (250) gallons of water.
(Ordinance 643 adopted 9/9/14; Ordinance 695 adopted 8/9/2022; Ordinance 697 adopted 9/6/2022; Ordinance 702 adopted 9/19/2023; Ordinance 709 adopted 11/12/2024)
(a) 
Sewer rates within the city.
The following rates per month shall be the rates charged for sewer services furnished to customers within the corporate limits of the city, until revised by the city council by subsequent ordinance. All such charges for sewer services are based on the customer's average water consumption during the previous November through January, to be calculated annually in March, as follows:
(1) 
Residential.
Monthly base rate: $35.75 plus $2.30 per 1,000 gallons.
(2) 
Commercial.
Monthly base rate: $37.45 plus $2.85 per 1,000 gallons.
(b) 
Base sewer rate for senior citizens over 75 years of age.
This subsection provides a discount to senior citizens over 75 years old who use less than 3,000 gallons of water per month. Any usage above 3,000 gallons of water per month will be billed at the regular monthly base rate of $35.75 plus $2.30 per 1,000 gallons.
(1) 
Residential.
monthly base rate: $20.00 plus $2.30 per 1,000 gallons.
(Ordinance 634 adopted 9/10/13; Ordinance 697 adopted 9/6/2022; Ordinance 702 adopted 9/19/2023; Ordinance 709 adopted 11/12/2024)
(a) 
Billing and collection procedures for residential and commercial accounts.
(1) 
All city utility bills shall be sent to residential and commercial customers on the first business day of each month (the “billing date”) for services provided in the prior month. Payment on all residential accounts shall be due on the 15th day of the month (the “due date”).
(2) 
All bills for which payment has not been received by the city on or before the due date shall be assessed a late charge penalty of 10% of the amount due. In addition to any other charges authorized by this code, the city manager is authorized to impose any and all administrative fees and charges, including any ancillary charges associated with administering different payment methodologies, so that the full cost imposed on the city in collecting payments for all of the city’s utilities is recovered from the residential and commercial customers of the city. Any such fees and charges shall be imposed in an equitable and nondiscriminatory manner and are subject to review and modification at any time by action of the city council.
(3) 
On the 16th day of each month, the city will send a courtesy notice (“notice”) on each residential and commercial account that is past due. The notice shall include the balance due, and the date and time scheduled for disconnection and termination of city services. However, the failure by the city to send a courtesy notice or the failure of a customer to receive a courtesy notice shall not alter the city’s right to disconnect service for nonpayment as provided herein.
(4) 
If payment on a residential or commercial account is not received by the city before the day specified in the notice, then all water and sewer services shall be scheduled to be disconnected and shall be disconnected if payment is not received before the service is actually disconnected. When a customer’s utilities services are scheduled to be disconnected for nonpayment by being listed on the monthly disconnect list prepared by the city, an administrative reconnect fee of $40.00 shall be charged to the customer’s account each time the water or sewer service is scheduled to be disconnected for nonpayment. The administrative fee shall be charged regardless whether service is disconnected.
(5) 
If service is disconnected for nonpayment then service shall be reconnected on the same business day that payment is received in full by the city, provided payment is received by the city no later than 3:00 p.m. If payment is received by the city after 3:00 p.m. then service will be reconnected on the next business day.
(6) 
A collection services fee of 30% shall be added to each account for collection by a collection agency if such account is delinquent for at least thirty (30) days.
(b) 
Returned payments and charges.
(1) 
Any payment that is subsequently returned does not constitute a payment.
(2) 
A $25.00 fee shall be charged to a customer’s account for each returned check or returned bank draft. Customers with retuned checks or bank draft will no longer be able to pay their bill with check or draft for one year from date of last returned check.
(c) 
Payment agreement.
Based on the account balance and customer history, the city manager may enter into a payment agreement with an account holder for the remaining unpaid balance after the cut-off/termination process. The terms and conditions of the payment arrangement shall be established by city manager and shall apply to all account holders eligible for a payment agreement based on the account balance and customer history.
(d) 
Theft of services.
Any person who turns on the water service or takes water from the city water supply without the approval of the city may be turned over to the proper authority for prosecution. The city reserves the right to prosecute any utility customer for theft of services, including costs and fees, in the appropriate jurisdiction.
(Ordinance 634 adopted 9/10/13; Ordinance 643 adopted 9/9/14; Ordinance 691 adopted 2/8/22)