A. General Purpose Charges. Bills for general purpose service connections shall be based on water volume usage, multiplied by the rate per one thousand gallons, plus the base service charge, as set forth under the rate schedule. The full monthly base service charge is due for any portion of a month that the connection is in service.

B. Usage Determined. Water meters shall be read by the utility monthly for the purpose of determining usage. The utility shall attempt to read the meters at approximately the same time each month. However, no adjustment to bills shall be made for failure to read the meter at the same time each month. If meters cannot be read, the utility may estimate usage based upon an average of the previous three months or three months of similar season on the year previous, whichever is the larger volume.

C. Due Date. The bill shall be due within fifteen days after the same has been mailed by the utility, or the fifteenth of each month, whichever is later. If the bill is not paid within such time, it shall be considered delinquent.

D. Contents of Bill. The utility bill shall show the following items:

1. The amount of the bill;

2. The consumption or usage of water in gallons;

3. The last meter reading;

4. The billing date;

5. The present meter reading date;

6. The previous meter reading date;

7. The delinquency charge;

8. Other charges.

E. Payment Application. Payment for a utility bill shall be applied by the utility in the following manner:

1. First to any unpaid balance from previous billing;

2. Second to current sewer charges;

3. Last to current water charges.

F. Inclusion of Charges for Other Service. Bills for other services rendered by the utility may be included with the normal water usage bill.

G. Payment Plan for Large Bill. In cases where a customer is presented a sewer bill much larger than the previous month bill, for any reason, the customer may request a payment plan. The utility and the customer may enter into such a plan according to a written agreement signed by the customer. Such a plan may spread the unpaid portion of the bill over a period of time not to exceed six months. In such a case the utility shall charge a past due fee as set forth under the rate schedule.

H. Delinquency Charge. If a bill becomes delinquent, a penalty fee shall be added to the bill as set forth under the rate schedule, unless such a fee was assessed for the same billing involving delinquent water charge.

I. Disconnect Notice Charge. If a second disconnect notice is delivered a second disconnect notice fee shall be added to the bill as set forth under the rate schedule, unless such a fee was assessed for the same billing involving delinquent water charge.

J. Disputed Bills.

1. In cases where a customer disputes a bill, the account shall not be considered delinquent as long as the customer is taking all of the following steps:

2. Makes payment of the undisputed portion of the bill if such exists.

3. Has submitted the dispute in writing to the utility billing clerk for review.

4. If unsatisfied with the utility billing clerk’s determination, the customer may submit the dispute in writing to the water superintendent, who within five business days of receiving such must make a determination.

5. If dissatisfied with the superintendent’s determination, then the customer may within five business days of receiving such submit the matter to the city manager, who within five business days of receiving such must make a determination.

6. If dissatisfied with the manager’s determination, the customer must within five business days of receiving such submit the matter to the city council for resolution at the next regular council meeting. The council’s determination on the matter shall be final.

7. If action on the dispute is not pursued diligently, the bill shall become delinquent in thirty days.

K. Water leakage in a system that is substantiated and results in a large sewer bill is a disputable item only if the utility can substantiate that the leaked water did not flow to the sewer. If the leak is discovered and repaired during the winter averaging period then the utility shall estimate an average not including the discovery period and may include periods outside the winter averaging period with reasonable exclusion of water used for irrigation.

L. Adjustment for Meter Error.

1. In case of a dispute as to the accuracy of a meter, the consumer, upon depositing the estimated cost of making a test, may demand that the meter be removed and tested as to accuracy, in the customer’s presence.

2. In case the meter is found accurate, the cost of such testing and replacing of the meter shall be borne by the consumer.

3. In case the meter is found inaccurate, the amount deposited by the consumer will be credited to their account and a reasonable adjustment made for the overcharge, based upon the corrected meter reading for a period not to exceed six months or the most recent period of winter averaging whichever is applicable.

4. If it can be shown that the error was due to some cause, the date of which can be fixed, the overcharge shall be computed back to, but not beyond such a date, six months or the most recent period of winter averaging, whichever is the least. (Ord. 654 § 1(part), 2004)