Chapter 15.20
BILLING PROCEDURES

Sections:

15.20.010    Person billed.

15.20.020    Due date—Delinquency—Penalty.

15.20.030    Delinquency constitutes a lien.

15.20.040    Discontinuance of service not relief from payment.

15.20.050    Bimonthly billing.

15.20.010 Person billed.

Charges for refuse, water and sewer services furnished by the city shall be billed to the owner of the property to which the services are rendered; provided, that when the owner and tenant in possession, in writing, file with the city a request that the billing be sent to the tenant, the city manager acting through the director of finance and administration may, at his discretion, grant such a request, subject to such reasonable conditions as he finds are appropriate. Notwithstanding to whom the billing is sent, the obligation for payment shall be the joint and several responsibility of the property owner and the tenant. (Ord. 4416 § 54, 2013: Ord. 3573 § 68, 1997: Ord. 3368 § 7 (part), 1993: Ord. 2942 § 1, 1986: Ord. 2062 § 5.01, 1969)

15.20.020 Due date—Delinquency—Penalty.

All charges for utility services furnished by the city shall be due and payable to the city on the date shown on the face of the bill. Charges for services remaining unpaid at the close of business on the thirtieth day following the billing date shall be considered delinquent and automatically subject to an additional charge, as a penalty, of ten percent of the delinquent amount. Payments will first be applied to the oldest delinquent charges. Remaining funds will be credited first against current charges from the garbage utility, then against current charges related to the sewer system, and then applied to current charges from the water utility. If the delinquent charges and penalties are still unpaid at the close of business on the fortieth day following the billing date, the services shall be discontinued and the water supply shall be turned off at the meter. The water service shall not be restored until all past due charges, penalties and fees have been paid. The finance and administration department is authorized, but not obligated, to waive all or a portion of the penalties provided herein in the event the director determines the late payment was the result of excusable neglect or extreme hardship. (Ord. 4491 § 10 (part), 2015; Ord. 4255 § 1, 2010: Ord. 4211 § 1, 2009: Ord. 3368 § 7 (part), 1993: Ord. 3091 § 1, 1988: Ord. 2653 § 3, 1982: Ord. 2062 § 5.02, 1969)

15.20.030 Delinquency constitutes a lien.

All charges for water service installation and sewer installations and all monthly service rates provided for in this title, together with penalties and interest thereon, when unpaid and delinquent shall be a lien upon the property to which the water or sewer service is rendered superior to all other liens and encumbrances whatsoever except for general taxes and local special assessments. Enforcement of such lien or liens shall be in the manner provided by law. (Ord. 3368 § 7 (part), 1993: Ord. 2062 § 5.03, 1969)

15.20.040 Discontinuance of service not relief from payment.

Discontinuance of service for any cause stated in this chapter shall not release the customer from his obligation to the city for payment of bills or charges. In addition, before water service is restored to such property, the customer will be subject to the water turn-on fee as described in Section 15.14.050. (Ord. 3368 § 7 (part), 1993: Ord. 2062 § 5.04, 1969)

15.20.050 Bimonthly billing.

All charges for water services and for sewer services shall be billed to the customer by the city on a bimonthly billing cycle. Actual water consumption will be charged to the date of the meter reading. All charges for service will be from the beginning of one month to the end of the following month. All bills shall be paid to the department of finance and administration. (Ord. 4416 § 55, 2013: Ord. 3573 § 69, 1997: Ord. 3368 § 7 (part), 1993: Ord. 2062 § 5.05, 1969)