6-5-11: BILLING AND PAYMENTS:

   A.   Meter Readings: Meters will be read and customers billed on the basis of the meter reading to the nearest cubic foot.

The water department will keep an accurate account on its books of all readings of meters and such account, so kept, shall be prima facie evidence of the use of water service by the customer.

   B.   Rendering Of Bills:

      1.   Billing Period: All meters shall be read or estimated according to subsection D of this section, and shall be billed monthly.

      2.   Bills For Other Than Normal Billing Period: Opening or closing bills, or bills that for any other reason cover a period containing ten percent (10%) more days or ten percent (10%) less days than in the normal billing period shall be prorated.

      3.   Bills For More Than One Meter: All meters supplying a customer's premises shall be billed separately, except where the water department has for operating purposes installed two (2) or more meters in place of one, the charge may be combined for billing purposes.

   C.   Disputed Bills: When a customer disputes the correctness of a bill, he shall deposit with the city the amount of the disputed bill at the time the complaint is lodged, to preclude discontinuance of service pending final settlement of the bill or bills. Subsequent bills shall be paid or placed on deposit in a similar manner. Failure of the customer to make such a deposit may, at the city's option, warrant late charges, discontinuance of service or legal action, as provided under subsection F of this section.

   D.   Failure To Read Meters: In the event that it shall be impossible or impractical to read a meter on the regular reading date or that the water department, for whatever reason, fails to read a meter, the water consumption shall be prorated on the basis of thirty (30) days per month and the total water consumption for billing purposes for that period shall be estimated.

   E.   Payment Of Bills: Each bill rendered shall contain the final date on which payment is due. If the bill is not paid by that date, the account shall be considered delinquent, unless other arrangements have been made with the city, in writing, that specify another due date.

   F.   Delinquent Accounts:

      1.   Delinquent Notice: A reminder of account delinquency may be sent, at the discretion of the city clerk, to each delinquent account on or about fifteen (15) days after the account becomes delinquent.

      2.   Late Charges: Thirty (30) days after an account becomes delinquent, late charges shall be assessed. Delinquent account late charge shall be established by the council by resolution upon the passage of this chapter and may be reviewed and updated by resolution of the council as the council so desires.

      3.   Turn Off Notice: On or about sixty (60) days after an account becomes delinquent, a turn off notice may be sent to the customer. Said notice shall state a date on which water will be turned off if the delinquent account is not paid in full prior thereto. Prior to shutting off a user's water, the user shall be permitted to have a hearing in front of the city clerk.

      4.   Service Turn Off: A water department employee or other agent of the city shall deliver a written notice to the customer stating that the water service is being turned off until all delinquent amounts have been paid ("final notice"). The water department, no sooner than twenty four (24) hours after delivery of the final notice, excluding weekends and holidays, between the hours of eight o'clock (8:00) A.M. and three o'clock (3:00) P.M., shall discontinue water service to the user. Delivery of notice to the premises served by the water department shall be considered as delivery of notice to the customer.

      5.   Service Charge: In all instances where water has been turned off because of delinquent accounts, a service charge shall be made for the restoration of services and replacement of cash deposit as stated in subsection 6-5-5B of this chapter, will be required. The service charge for restoration of delinquent accounts shall be established by the council by resolution upon the passage of this chapter and may be reviewed and updated by resolution of the council at the council's desire.

      6.   Legal Collection Action: On or about sixty (60) days after an account becomes delinquent, the water department may initiate an action in the small claims court of Ada County or state district court to collect any amounts past due.

   G.   Installment Payment Of Delinquent Accounts: In cases of extreme hardship, the city clerk shall have the discretion of renewing service to a delinquent account upon receipt of a satisfactory installment plan for the payment of the overdue amount, the installment period not to exceed the period of time the account was delinquent. (Ord. 202, 5-26-1992)