Chapter 8.44
BILLING REGULATIONS
Sections:
8.44.010 Establishment and maintenance of credit.
8.44.020 Lien for delinquent charges and penalties.
8.44.030 Loss and reestablishment of credit.
8.44.040 Billing period.
8.44.050 Opening and closing bills.
8.44.060 Payment of bills.
8.44.070 Billing of separate meters not combined.
8.44.080 Disconnection for nonpayment.
8.44.090 Reconnection charge.
8.44.100 Unsafe apparatus.
8.44.110 Cross-connections.
8.44.120 Fraud or abuse.
8.44.130 Noncompliance with regulations.
8.44.140 Voluntary discontinuance.
8.44.150 Reoccupied premises—Charge.
8.44.160 Penalties for nonpayment.
8.44.170 Suit.
8.44.180 Costs.
8.44.010 Establishment and maintenance of credit.
Each applicant for service must establish and maintain credit to the satisfaction of the district. An applicant who is the owner of land or improvements at the service address, as evidenced by presentation of a deed or other document, shall not be required to make an initial guarantee deposit. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.020 Lien for delinquent charges and penalties.
In the event that delinquent charges and penalties are not paid by the owner or authorized agent of such person, pursuant to Section 54354 of the Government Code, the district may file a lien upon the real property served and such lien shall continue until the charges and penalties thereon are fully paid or the property sold therefor. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.030 Loss and reestablishment of credit.
In the event that any amount due for water and sewer services remains unpaid on the first day of the calendar month following the date specified in the outstanding bill, the district may impose a basic penalty of not more than ten percent of each month’s outstanding charge plus one-half of one percent per month for nonpayment of the charges and/or discontinue service. If such service is discontinued, the applicable service charges must be paid in addition to the deposit. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.040 Billing period.
The regular billing period will be monthly or bimonthly, at the option of the district. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.050 Opening and closing bills.
Opening bills shall be prepared for new applicants at the next regular billing period following initiation of service. Closing bills shall be prepared as soon as possible following requests for voluntary discontinuance of service. The monthly availability service charge will not be made for billing periods of fifteen or fewer days, but will be made for billing periods of sixteen or more days. Consumption shall be billed for at normal quantity rates. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.060 Payment of bills.
Bills shall be payable on presentation. On each bill for water and sewer services rendered by the district shall be printed substantially the following:
Subject to penalties and discontinuance of service if not paid on, or before, thirty days after date of mailing.
(Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.070 Billing of separate meters not combined.
Separate bills will be rendered for each service connection or meter installation except where the district has, for its own convenience, installed two or more meters in place of one meter. Where such installations are made the meter readings will be combined for billing purposes. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.080 Disconnection for nonpayment.
Water and sewer services may be discontinued for nonpayment of bills on, or after, notice to the customer, as required by state law. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.090 Reconnection charge.
In addition to applicable penalties, a reconnection charge as established by resolution of the board of directors will be made and collected prior to renewing service following a discontinuance. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.100 Unsafe apparatus.
Water service may be refused or discontinued to any premises where apparatus or appliances are in use which might endanger or disturb the service to other customers. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.110 Cross-connections.
Water service may be refused or discontinued to any premises where there exists a cross-connection in violation of state or federal laws. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.120 Fraud or abuse.
Service may be discontinued if necessary to protect the district against fraud or abuse. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.130 Noncompliance with regulations.
Service may be discontinued for noncompliance with this title or any other ordinance or regulation related to the water service. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.140 Voluntary discontinuance.
Customers desiring to discontinue service should so notify the water utility division two days prior to vacating the premises. Unless discontinuance of service is ordered, the customer shall be liable for charges whether or not any water is used. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.150 Reoccupied premises—Charge.
A reconnection charge as established by resolution of the board of directors will be made and collected prior to renewing service to premises voluntarily disconnected. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.160 Penalties for nonpayment.
Rates and charges which are not paid on or before the thirtieth day following the date of mailing of the bill shall be subject to a basic penalty of ten percent of the outstanding charge. An additional penalty of one-half of one percent per month for nonpayment of the charge and the basic penalty shall accrue on the first day of each calendar month following the date of delinquency. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.170 Suit.
All unpaid rates and charges and penalties herein provided may be collected by suit. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)
8.44.180 Costs.
The customer shall pay all attorneys’ fees and other costs incurred as a result of the necessity of the district’s resorting to legal processes for the purpose of enforcing payment of delinquent accounts or for the enforcement of any other duties or obligations imposed by the rules and regulations of the district. (Ord. 126 § 1 (part), 2009)