A service charge as set by city council in the master fee schedule shall be imposed upon any payee or their designee who, in full or partial payment of an invoiced amount, tenders a payment which is not honored by their financial institution for any reason. The city reserves the right to require payment by cash, credit card or certified funds from any payee or their designee who has previously tendered a payment that was not honored by their financial institution.
The city reserves the right to assess a late fee as set by city council in the master fee schedule for accounts receivable if payment is not received by the due date stated on the invoice.
(Ord. 15-13 § 1, 2013; Ord. 3-14 § 1 (Att. A), 2014; Ord. 22-15 § 2, 2015)
The finance director, or designee, is authorized to enter into payment plans with individuals who cannot meet their financial obligation to the city in one payment. Such arrangements are at the discretion of the finance director or designee and will factor in interest at the current market rate and the additional cost of monitoring time payments as set forth in the master fee schedule.
(Ord. 15-13 § 2, 2013; Ord. 22-15 § 2, 2015)
The finance director or his/her designee is empowered to resolve billing disputes upon receipt of a request to do so from a customer. Upon receipt of such notice from the customer, the finance director or his/her designee shall review the bill with the customer to see if the amount is justly owed. The customer shall have the right to a meeting to bring forth reasons and evidence why such bill or a portion of said bill should not be due and owing. The finance director or designee has the discretion to waive charges as deemed appropriate.
(Ord. 3-18 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018)
The city shall make reasonable attempts to collect all money owing in compliance with city policy and procedure. If such attempts fail and at least 60 days have passed since the original due date, the receivable will be sent to a collection agency or, if applicable, a lien may be placed on the property. No less than 24 months after the original due date, if the receivable remains uncollected, the city may write off the debt. The mayor and finance director may approve receivable write-offs less than $250.00. Receivable write-offs $250.00 and over will be authorized by council resolution.
Extensive collection for small accounts is not cost effective. Balances between $0.01 and $9.99 are to be written off after the final bill is processed at the discretion of the finance director or designee. Delinquent accounts less than $25.00 are not sent to collections and will be recommended for write-off.
Any decisions regarding write-off are discretionary with the city and may consider any variety of factors, including, but not limited to, resources of the city for purposes of attempting collection and aggregate impact of receivables at the time.
(Ord. 15-13 § 3, 2013; Ord. 3-14 § 1 (Att. A), 2014; Ord. 3-18 § 1 (Exh. A), 2018)