§ 2-31-256. Conditions for utility service.

(a)

Connection to the county public utilities system requires payment of security deposits, connection fees, and line fees or line extension fees as established in resolutions adopted by the board. Customers connecting to developer constructed facilities that are privately maintained, or built to comply with land development regulations and subsequently dedicated or otherwise conveyed to the county, may be exempted from line fees and line extension fees, as determined by the county administrator. Lift stations built and dedicated to the county will be subject to connection fees only. Lift stations not dedicated to the county will be charged connection fees and must be metered unless connected to a primary meter.

(b)

In the interest of promoting residential fire protection, single-family residential potable water and fire line services may be combined. No combined residential potable water/fire line meters of more than one inch will be approved.

(c)

Applicants requiring potable water, reclaimed water, and/or wastewater service for a structure shall pay the appropriate security deposits, connection fees, and line fees or line extension fees prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy. Wastewater service charges will begin at the time the potable water meter is installed, or, for wastewater only accounts, at the time a certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy is issued.

(d)

The owners of single-family and multifamily residential units listed in the customer classifications in paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2) of section 2-31-252, for which a certificate of occupancy or temporary certificate of occupancy has been issued on or before the date of certification of the line extension, may pay the required connection fees and line fees or line extension fees in accordance with the time payment provisions of this subsection, provided that they meet the conditions specified below. The owners of properties listed in the commercial classifications in paragraph (a)(4) of section 2-31-252 may also be permitted to make time payments if the county administrator determines that health issues and financial hardship exist. Requests for time payments for commercial properties must be made by the county health department and approved by the county administrator. The conditions for time payment are as follows:

(1)

In addition to the principal amount of the applicable connection fees and line fees or line extension fees, the property owners shall pay interest at an annual rate of the prime interest rate in effect on January 1 of each year plus three (3) per cent;

(2)

To qualify for time payment under this subsection, the owners of the property must not have any delinquent accounts and must enter into a contract with the county providing that the balance due shall constitute a lien against the real property which will be connected to the potable water or wastewater system and that the balance due, if any, will be paid at the time of the sale or other transfer of title to the real property;

(3)

The owners of the property shall agree to maintain billing in the names of the property owners until all fees and interest due are paid and the lien is satisfied;

(4)

A contract to pay the applicable connection fees and line fees or line extension fees will provide for a maximum of one hundred twenty (120) payments to include principal and interest, payable by monthly billing;

(5)

If not timely paid, the unpaid balance and interest accrued thereon, together with attorney's fees and costs, may be recovered in a civil action in any manner authorized by law, and any such lien and accrued interest may be foreclosed or otherwise enforced by action or suit as for the foreclosure of a mortgage on real property; and

(6)

Upon receipt of full payment of the principal amount and interest, the county administrator shall be authorized to execute and record a satisfaction of the lien on the real property.

(e)

If an applicant changes the type of service or increases the size of the potable water meter at an existing service connection, the applicant shall pay the difference between the current security deposits for the existing meter size and the corresponding security deposits for the new meter size. The connection fees will be charged based on the new meter size without credit for previous connection fees paid. If an applicant decreases the size of the potable water meter for an existing service, no connection fee, line fee, or service charge refund shall be paid to the applicant.

(f)

When the owner of one dwelling unit of a duplex served by a single meter installs separate meters, all fees and charges will apply, including additional security deposits.

(g)

If an existing metered structure is converted to a duplex, individual meters are required and all fees and charges will apply, including additional security deposits.

(h)

If an existing structure is converted to a multiunit facility, all fees and charges will apply to each unit, including additional security deposits. Exceptions may be granted by the county administrator for good cause shown.

(i)

An existing master meter customer may convert to individual meters upon approval by the county administrator. Each individual residential unit and each commercial customer will be charged a connection fee and a security deposit based on meter size.

(j)

If an existing residential or commercial customer with one meter installs two (2) meters, one for potable water and one for irrigation, all applicable fees, including connection fees, will be charged for each meter. An additional security deposit will not be required. The exemption from extra security deposits does not apply to golf courses, nurseries, or similar facilities. For agricultural purposes, an irrigation only meter may be installed as a primary meter. The connection fees and security deposits must be paid prior to installation. The minimum size allowed for irrigation meters is three-quarter inch. A valid plumbing permit must be presented at the time of payment.

(k)

If separate meters are installed at a multifamily residential facility for purposes of irrigation of the immediate surrounding premises, all additional fees and charges will apply except additional security deposits.

(Ord. No. 07-62, § 1, 8-7-07; Ord. No. 10-69, §§ 6, 7, 11-9-10; Ord. No. 14-09, § 6, 1-29-14; Ord. No. 15-39, § 1, 9-22-15)