§ 25-106. Revenue collections.

(a)

Payment. A meter reading of all water meters and fire line checks shall be made by the county on a regular basis. All bills are issued by and shall be paid to the finance department. Payment is due within ten (10) days of issuance and may be made by mail or in person at the address noted on the statement. Failure to receive the bill shall not relieve the customer of payment responsibility.

(b)

Delinquent payment. Notice of delinquent payment shall require payment within ten (10) days of the date due. Service will be terminated after that period without notice. Failure to receive a bill shall not relieve a customer of payment responsibility.

(c)

Excess payments and refunds. Excess payments for all customers shall be credited to the next billing unless service is terminated or written refund request is made.

(d)

Liability of owner. When service is terminated to a rented premises, service may be restored to the premises upon request of a party, renter or owner, who is not personally liable for or who did not personally apply for water service previously and who was previously not delinquent in payment of the water bill at these premises.

(e)

Estimated bills. The county may estimate bills in the case of a broken, inaccurate or inaccessible meter on the basis of previous billings, adding retroactive charges where appropriate.

(f)

Contested charges. A customer may make written notice of an error in charges. In such cases the customer shall make payment equal to that portion of charges uncontested or equal to previous billing, whichever is larger, by payment due date. The finance director will review contested charges and adjust the next billing as appropriate. The customer may make written request for a hearing with the director or the director's representative if the review is unsatisfactory. Payment must be made for reviewed contested charges when due. Credit shall be made if findings are reversed by the director, whose decision is final.

(g)

Discounts. No discounts shall be made for payments due or for large volume use. Discounts in the form of credits or refunds may be made for change in meter sizes or charged materials returned to the county in satisfactory condition.

(h)

Application fee. Any applicant for water or sewer service shall complete an application for service, shall provide the county with identification for billing purposes, and shall pay an application fee to the county. Application fees shall be set by the board of commissioners.

(i)

Reserved.

(Code 1976, § 6-1076; Ord. No. 95-07, § 1, 5-23-95; Ord. No. 97-14, 8-12-97; Ord. No. 01-13, § 1, 7-10-01)