§ 110-38. Billing procedures.

(a)

Applicability. This section applies to all customers of the county having water service pursuant to this article.

(b)

Billing periods; due date. Bills for service will be rendered either monthly or quarterly. The county shall determine which accounts shall be billed monthly or quarterly based upon the amount of consumption, either actual or anticipated. Bills are due when rendered and shall be considered as having been received by the customer when delivered or mailed to the service address or to some other place mutually agreed upon. Nonreceipt of bills by the customer shall not release or diminish the obligation of the customer with respect to the payment thereof.

(c)

Minimum bills. Each bill for water service shall not be less than the minimum charge specified in county rates. Where service on a monthly basis is discontinued within 30 days after the beginning of service and the consumption is less than the quantity covered by the monthly minimum bill, a minimum monthly bill shall be paid by the consumer to compensate the county for extra expenses incurred.

(d)

Guarantee deposits. Upon opening an account, a minimum guarantee deposit shall be paid by each customer at the time of making application for service. The deposit shall be based on meter size. The guarantee deposit is required as security for payment of the customer's water bill. It is refundable to the customer upon termination of service. A customer requesting a temporary portable (floating) meter shall pay a guarantee deposit specified in county rates. This deposit is security for the value of the meter and connections loaned to the customer, as well as for payment of the water bill. No interest is paid by the county on guarantee deposits.

(e)

Delinquent bills. Bills are due when rendered and if not actually received on or before the past due date set forth on the customer's bill, a ten-percent late charge to defray county costs and expenses shall be added to the water bill. If payment is not actually received within 60 days of the date rendered, the water service may be subject to disconnection and termination of the account with the county without further notice. Upon termination of service, the guarantee deposit shall be applied to the outstanding bill for that customer and a final statement shall be rendered showing the balance due. Service shall not be reinstituted until the final statement is paid in full and the customer makes application for service and pays the guarantee deposit at the then-established rate as provided in subsection (d) of this section. A customer's water service shall be discontinued and no new application shall be accepted at any other location when there remains an outstanding final statement for unpaid water service at any previous location.

(f)

Lien for unpaid water and sewer service charges. All charges, late charges and interest accruing thereupon for water and sewer service rendered to any real property by the county which remain unpaid 60 days after the past due date of the water and sewer charges shall become a lien against and upon the real property to which such water and sewer service has been furnished to the same extent and character as a lien for a special assessment. Until fully paid and discharged, the charges, late charges and interest accrued thereupon shall be, remain and constitute a special assessment lien equal in rank and dignity with the liens of county ad valorem taxes and superior in rank and dignity to all other liens, encumbrances, titles and claims in, to or against the real property involved. The lien may be enforced and satisfied by the county by any method permitted by law. The lien shall not be deemed to be in lieu of any other legal remedies for payment available to the county, including but not limited to suspension and termination of water service.

(g)

Bills from previous location. A customer's water service shall be discontinued for nonpayment of a bill for service to the customer at a previous location served by the county, provided the bill is not paid within 60 days after the original bill for the previous location is mailed.

(h)

Evidence of consumption. The service rendered by the county shall be measured by meters. The meter readings shall serve as prima facie evidence of the quantity of water delivered to the customer.

(i)

Customer service complaints; due process. A customer desiring to dispute his water or sewer bill may contact the customer service office of the county and request an investigation regarding his account. If the investigation sustains the original reading and billing and the customer wishes to dispute his bill further, he will be advised by the customer service office that he is entitled to request a certified meter test as provided in subsection 110-37(f).

(Code 1970, § 26-80; Ord. No. 87-09, § 10, 3-24-87)