Sec. 42-32. - Rates and fees defined.

Advance fee. A fee billed to customers upon initiation of service. Once the advance fee has been paid in full, it will be retained and, at the time service is terminated, it will be applied to the bill as a credit.

Field service fee. A fee charged to the customer when water service is scheduled to be discontinued due to violations of this chapter, or the rules and regulations of the department, or when water service is turned on or cut off at the request of the customer during other than the regular work day hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This fee will also be charged for the second and subsequent trips during the regular workday hours to a service location for the same activity necessitated by the failure to be present of customer or his agent.

Fire hydrant fee. An annual fee, payable monthly, for fire hydrants supplied with water by the city for public and private fire protection.

Fire hydrant meter. A meter equipped with special connectors and a backflow preventer that can be used to withdraw water from a fire hydrant. Fire hydrant meters are intended for use on specialty projects and events where a typical service tap and meter assembly is not available nor practical to install. Fire hydrant meters are not to be used as a source for potable water.

Fire hydrant meter advance fee. A fee charged to customers prior to receipt of a fire hydrant meter. The fee will be returned to the customer upon return of the fire hydrant meter in acceptable condition.

Fire hydrant meter fee. A monthly fee charged, in addition to the water consumed, based upon meter size. This fee is for expenses associated with the periodic billing procedures, maintaining distribution service facilities, and testing of the fire hydrant meter and backflow preventer.

Fire hydrant meter no-reading fee. A fee charged to fire hydrant meter customers who fail to inform the department of the monthly hydrant meter reading each month.

Fire protection service fee. A fee for fire hydrants supplied with water by the city for public and private fire protection in lieu of the fire hydrant fee. The local governing body of the jurisdictions in which the service is located may impose a fire protection service fee to be paid directly to the department by the water customer, provided that the fire protection service fee shall produce on an annual basis an amount which is not less than that which would be due under the fire hydrant fee. The fire protection service fee shall be added to the service fee set forth in this chapter. When the fire protection service fee is added to the service fee, the fire protection service fee may be based upon the meter size and shall be established by the local governing body.

Fire sprinkler fee. A monthly fee for water standby service furnished by the city for fire sprinklers.

Fire sprinkler service connection fee. A fee charged for a connection to the waterworks system that includes a meter to detect flow and may include backflow preventer, valves and vault.

General customers. Accounts in the waterworks system that are not industrial or single metered residential customers.

Industrial customers. Industrial customers in the waterworks system that are establishments that use water primarily for manufacturing or processing and are classified as industrial in the billing system of the department. Rates for water usage will be charged in accordance with the designated "I" block rates of "I1 - first tier" and "I2 - second tier."

Laboratory fee. A fee charged when the laboratory analyzes water samples for the public or other governmental agencies.

Late payment fee. A fee charged if billing is not paid by the due date.

Meter out fee. A fee charged when a meter is removed for violations of this chapter or violations of the rules and regulations of the department, or when requested by the customer.

Meter testing fee. A fee charged as a result of a customer requested water meter test when reading is considered accurate in accordance with section 42-37(c).

New account fee. A fee charged for establishing a new account and turning on the water.

Service fee. A monthly or bi-monthly fee charged, in addition to the water consumed, based upon meter size. This fee is for expenses associated with the periodic billing procedures and maintaining distribution service facilities.

Single metered residential customers. Residential accounts in the waterworks system in which residences are individually metered and may include single-family homes, mobile homes, duplexes, condominiums, townhouses and apartments that have one (1) meter per dwelling unit and are classified as such in the billing system of the department. For purposes of this article, a "dwelling unit" means a separate residential unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one (1) or more persons including permanent provisions for living, sleeping, cooking, eating and sanitation. Rates for water usage will be charged in accordance with the designated "R" block rates of "R1 - lifeline tier," "R2 - normal tier," and "R3 - conservation tier."

System development fee. A fee charged for each new connection made to the waterworks system based on the size of the meter to be installed.

Water consumption rates. Rates to be charged to customers for each one hundred (100) cubic feet (HCF) or fraction thereof of water consumed.

Water meter yoke, meter box and meter installation fee. A fee charged for installation of meter yokes, meter boxes and meters by the department where the water service pipeline installation has been performed by the developer, applicant or owner pursuant to a water pipeline extension agreement and not by the department.

Water service installation. Includes water service pipeline, meter yoke, meter box and meter.

Water service installation fee. A fee charged for the installation by the department of water service pipelines, meter yokes, meter boxes and meters.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1; Ord. No. 6363-07, § 1; Ord. No. 6784-11, § 1)

Editor's note—

Ord. No. 6784-11 shall be in effect on and after July 1, 2011.

Sec. 42-33. - Rates and fees.

Advance fee:

Field service fee: $20.00 per occurrence.

Fire hydrant fee: $216.00 annually.

Fire hydrant meter advance fee:

Fire hydrant meter fee:

Fire hydrant meter no-reading fee: $20.00.

Fire sprinkler fee:

Fire sprinkler service connection fee: The fee shall be at cost, and shall be paid by the applicant.

Laboratory fees:

1.

Bacteriological analyses:

A.

Total Coliform and E. Coli (presence/absence) .....$25.00

B.

Total Coliform and E. Coli (quantified) .....31.00

C.

Enterococci (quantified) .....32.00

2.

pH .....10.00

3.

Conductivity .....10.00

4.

Alkalinity .....19.00

5.

Hardness .....18.00

6.

Chloride .....21.00

7.

Fluoride .....21.00

8.

Total solids .....26.00

9.

Volatile solids .....32.00

10.

Total suspended solids .....27.00

11.

Volatile suspended solids .....33.00

12.

Total dissolved solids .....26.00

13.

Volatile dissolved solids .....33.00

14.

Ortho-phosphorus .....26.00

15.

Total phosphorus .....37.00

16.

Silica .....24.00

17.

Sulfate .....26.00

18.

Nitrite .....25.00

19.

Nitrate .....34.00

20.

Ammonia .....33.00

21.

TKN .....42.00

22.

UV254 .....29.00

23.

Bromide .....50.00

24.

Total organic carbon (TOC) .....34.00

25.

Dissolved organic carbon .....38.00

26.

Trihalomethanes (THM) .....91.00

27.

Haloacetic acids (HAA) .....192.00

28.

Lead—EPA 200.9 .....28.00

29.

Metals—EPA 200.7 .....27.00

30.

Metal prep .....19.00

Late payment fee: One and one-half (1½) percent per month calculated on the delinquent fees and charges, or three dollars ($3.00), whichever is greater.

Meter out fee: $25.00 per occurrence.

Meter testing fee: $25.00.

New account fee: $20.00.

Service fee:

System development fee (SDF): See article II, section 42-23, Waterworks system capacity expansion.

Water consumption rates per one hundred (100) cubic feet (HCF) per billing period:

Single metered residential customer usage:

R1 - lifeline tier - 0 to 6 HCF .....$2.89/HCF

R2 - normal tier - greater than (>) 6 to 50 HCF .....$3.32/HCF

R3 - conservation tier - greater than (>) 50 HCF .....$6.64/HCF

Industrial customer usage:

I1 - first tier - 0 to 40,000 HCF .....$3.32/HCF

I2 - second tier - greater than (>) 40,000 HCF .....$2.89/HCF

General customer usage:

G - all usage .....$3.32/HCF

Water service installation fee:

Sizes larger than those listed above shall be at cost, and shall be paid by the applicant.

Water meter yoke, meter box and meter installation fees:

A cost estimate based on specific site conditions for sizes larger than those listed above shall be provided to the applicant, and the cost shall be paid by the applicant.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1; Ord. No. 6245-06, § 1; Ord. No. 6363-07, § 1; Ord. No. 6384-07, § 1; Ord. No. 6486-08, § 1; Ord. No. 6606-09, § 1; Ord. No. 6682-10, § 1; Ord. No. 6784-11, § 1)

Editor's note—

Ord. No. 6784-11 shall be in effect on and after July 1, 2011.

Sec. 42-34. - Water service installation, generally.

Application for water service installation shall be made at the office of the department of public utilities by the owner or agent of the premises to be supplied, at which time the water service installation fee shall be paid by the applicant, and such applicant shall give the location of such premises, with subdivision, section/phase, block, lot number and legal street address where possible. All meters and water services shall be located on a right-of-way or easement dedicated to the city, and shall be located in compliance with state and local laws.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-35. - Other required payments.

In addition to the water service installation fee and the water meter yoke, meter box and meter installation fee, the owner or agent shall be required to pay the cost to the department for any permit required of the department and the cost of any street, sidewalk, and related repair and restoration associated with the installation work.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-36. - Sufficiency of rates.

The water rates fixed by the council shall be fair and just, but shall be such that the revenue therefrom shall be sufficient to pay for the cost of maintenance, extension, operation and administration of the waterworks system, the cost of insurance against loss by injury to persons or property, and any other cost or expense growing out of or appertaining to the waterworks system, including interest on bonds. Such rates shall also be sufficient to pay, at or before maturity, annually, all bonds issued on account of the waterworks system and to provide a fair and proper return as provided by general law.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-37. - Adjustment to bills for water service and testing of meters.

(a)

The director is authorized to adjust and settle claims against the department for incorrect consumption billings.

(b)

If it is determined by the department that a customer's bill has been incorrectly calculated, the department reserves the right to make adjustments and bill accordingly.

(c)

On request of a customer or in the discretion of the department, water meters may be tested. If, as the result of a customer requested test (performed in accordance with American Water Works Association Standards latest revision) the meter registers inaccurately, the customer shall not be charged for the test. If accurate, the customer shall be charged a meter testing fee.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-38. - All metered water to be paid for; adjustment of bill for undiscovered leaks.

All water passing through the meter shall be charged and paid for, whether used or wasted; provided, however, that where undiscovered leaks occur in customer's water pipes or appurtenances and the owner or customer, upon discovery or notice thereof, promptly makes all necessary repairs, the director may make a bill adjustment in accordance with departmental policy.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-39. - Application for water service; responsibility for payment of bill.

The director is hereby authorized to furnish water service to a customer upon application of the customer or agent of the premises connected to the waterworks system. A customer who has made application is responsible for payment of the bill.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-40. - When and where bills are due and payable; delinquency.

(a)

Bills shall be due and payable on or before the due date printed on the bill at places designated by the city. If not received by the city by the due date, the bill shall be considered delinquent and the customer shall be charged a late penalty fee and a notification to that effect shall be given. If bills are not subsequently paid as required by the delinquent notice due date, service shall be discontinued unless satisfactory arrangements for payment of the bill are made with the department. Water service that is furnished to the same customer at different locations, may be discontinued when a bill for any of the customer's locations becomes delinquent.

(b)

When water has been discontinued pursuant to this section, it shall not be turned on again until all fees prescribed by this chapter have been paid or satisfactory arrangements have been made for the payment thereof.

(c)

No customer who is delinquent in water payments at one (1) location shall have the right to water at any other location at which he is the applicant, provided notice has been provided as to each location affected.

(d)

Unless a lien has been recorded against the property owner for nonpayment of water service or other fees under this chapter, water service shall not be denied to a new tenant based on a former tenant's delinquent bill.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1; Ord. No. 6805-11, § 1)

Editor's note—

Ord. No. 6805-11 shall be in effect on and after July 1, 2011.

Sec. 42-41. - Application of rates and fees to all customers.

The same rates and fees shall be applicable both inside and outside the city, unless otherwise agreed to by the city and the outside governing body.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-42. - Frequency of reading and size of meters.

(a)

The director has discretion to bill customers monthly or bimonthly. For the purposes of this section, "bimonthly" shall mean once every two (2) months.

(b)

Meter size shall be consistent with actual water use, and the city reserves the right to change any size meter, and to adjust the meter service fee to comply with this provision.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Sec. 42-43. - Change of water rates.

Whenever water rates are changed by the city council, billings for water consumption shall be prorated based upon average daily water usage.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1; Ord. No. 6805-11, § 1)

Editor's note—

Ord. No. 6805-11 shall be in effect on and after July 1, 2011.

Sec. 42-44. - Estimated bills.

(a)

Whenever a meter cannot be read or is faulty, the customer shall be charged based on prior consumption.

(b)

Where prior consumption data is not available or incomplete, the department shall estimate consumption based upon the data available and upon data from activities of similar use characteristics.

(Ord. No. 6233-06, § 1)

Secs. 42-45—42-50. - Reserved.