A. Minimum Rate. Each dwelling, each unit of a duplex or multiple dwelling and each business establishment or other place shall pay at least the minimum rates set forth in Section
3.12.090(C). Once the unit is occupied, these rates shall apply even though the tenants are away on vacation or at other times when the unit is temporarily unoccupied, unless owner requests the water to be turned off, meter locked and fee, as set forth in Section 3.12.100(G)(2), paid for water turn-off/on.
B. Computation of Charges. The exact amount to be charged shall be determined by the city council according to the character and quantity of service rendered, but not inconsistent with the monthly rates set forth in Section
3.12.090(C).
1. Extra untagged garbage or refuse not in approved and prepaid cans, containers or bags will not be picked up; however, extra garbage tags can be purchased at City Hall.
2. Residential cans and recycling bins must be at curbside by seven a.m.
3. Dumpsters must be unblocked and unlocked by seven a.m.
4. The property owner shall maintain containers, lids and dumpsters in a clean/serviceable condition. New property owners shall also provide screened concrete pads for storage of dumpsters and recycling totes. A change of existing ownership, type of business or dumpster requirement will require the construction of a dumpster pad/recycling containers and enclosure to city standards if none previously existed.
5. Charges for garbage or refuse deposited in prepaid bags in addition to can(s) or container(s) shall be as set forth in Section 3.12.090(C)(1).
6. A property owner, agent, tenant, occupant, contractor or other person who requests special temporary service to remove garbage or refuse from property within the city, is a nonregular customer. The city will attempt to accommodate those customers by depositing a dumpster on the customer's property or jobsite and service the garbage or refuse dumpster when it becomes full, or within a reasonable period of time and as determined at the discretion of the public works director. The charge for special temporary service shall be as set forth in Section 3.12.090(C)(4).
7. The public works director is authorized to establish, at least annually, a rate for garbage and refuse requiring special handling. Such rates shall be on file at the Poulsbo public works office and with the city clerk and shall be provided to consumers upon request. Consumers may obtain such rates by calling the city at (360) 779-4078. The public works director shall establish such rates based upon the actual cost of providing service plus a ten percent overhead charge. Copies of the rate schedule shall be provided to the Poulsbo city council and shall be effective on the day following notice to the council.
C. Mandatory Recycling Program. A mandatory recycling program is hereby established. As a condition of garbage service, each dwelling, and each unit of a duplex or multiple dwelling unit shall be provided with recycling containers and shall participate in the costs of the recycling program. The charge for recycling shall be included in the rates established by Section
3.12.090(C) for single-family and duplex dwelling units. Multifamily dwelling units will be charged separately for recycling as established by Section 3.12.090(C)(3). Commercial businesses will be responsible to arrange for their own recycling via the city-contracted recycling company.
D. Variable Size Residential Cans. Customers desiring to use ten- or twenty-gallon containers must provide their own container and notify City Hall of the size of can being utilized for correct billing.
E. Illegal Dumping. Persons who choose to engage in illegal dumping or who place their refuse in containers being paid for by others, will be guilty of illegal dumping or theft of services and will be prosecuted in accordance with the law in effect on the date the violation occurs.
F. Low Income Seniors and Disabled Citizens.
1. Low income senior citizens and low income disabled citizens who live in a residence served directly by solid waste facilities of the city of Poulsbo and who pay solid waste utility bills directly to the city may qualify for a discount.
2. For the purposes of this section, low income senior citizen means a person who has attained the age of sixty-two years and whose total income from all sources, including that of his or her spouse, does not exceed forty-eight thousand dollars annually. For purposes of this section, low income disabled citizen means a person whose total income from all sources, including that of his or her spouse, does not exceed forty-eight thousand dollars annually, and who is (a) a person qualifying for special parking privileges under RCW
46.19.010(1)(a) through
(j); or (b) a blind person as defined in RCW
74.18.020; or (c) a disabled, handicapped, or incapacitated person as defined under any other state or federal program. The income threshold shall be adjusted by same percentage as the annual rate adjustments in accordance with Section
8.16.070.
3. All persons claiming the discount provided for in this section shall first be required to file an application with the city of Poulsbo finance department to initiate the reduction. The application shall be on forms prescribed by the finance director and shall provide information by which the finance director may verify the applicant's eligibility to participate. Applicants shall be required to submit such additional information as may be required by the finance director to verify eligibility. In order to stay eligible for the program, an applicant must recertify their eligibility every twelve months. If the city determines that the applicant is ineligible for the reduction, the applicant will be notified by the city.
4. If an applicant moves from the residence to which the service is provided or otherwise becomes ineligible for the reduced rate, the applicant shall be required to notify the finance department immediately.
5. If false information is submitted to the city in connection with any application for a reduced utility rate, the applicant will automatically become ineligible to receive any future discounts and any discounts or reductions already given shall be fully repaid to the city, together with a penalty in the amount of one hundred percent of the repayment amount. This remedy shall be in addition to any other remedies the city may have for the giving of false information.
(Ord. 82-28 § 3(b), 1982; Ord. 82-39 § 1, 1982; Ord. 85-1 § 1, 1985; Ord. 86-09 § 1, 1986; Ord. 87-42 § 1, 1987; Ord. 89-16 § 2, 1989; Ord. 90-10 § 1, 1990; Ord. 91-31 § 1, 1991; Ord. 93-03 § 1, 1993; Ord. 2003-01 § 1, 2003; Ord. 2003-16 § 22, 2003; Ord. 2005-17 § 1 (part), 2005; Ord. 2010-10 § 1 (part), 2010; Ord. 2024-15 § 2 (Att. A), 2024)