§ 2-31-257. Security deposits.

(a)

Security deposits are required for potable water and/or wastewater accounts and reclaimed water only accounts. The board may adopt, by resolution, the amounts of security deposits for accounts, including but not limited to, individual meters, master meters, fire line/irrigation meters, and temporary use meters.

(b)

If an irrigation meter is in addition to a regular meter, no additional security deposit will be required. Governmental entities shall not be required to pay security deposits. Landlord accounts billed in the interim period between tenants will not be charged security deposits.

(c)

Security deposits for temporary use meters are established as security against services rendered and meter losses. The county may refuse further service pending payment in the following circumstances:

(1)

If bills for a temporary use meter are not paid in a timely manner and equal or exceed the security deposit; or

(2)

If a temporary use meter is damaged or not returned and the cost of repair or replacement of the meter and potable water services equal or exceed the security deposit.

(d)

All potable water, reclaimed water, and wastewater security deposits shall accrue interest. The interest rate will be the daily treasury yield curve rate effective on October 1 of each year and will remain at that rate throughout the fiscal year. Accrued interest will be credited once a year to the customer's account.

(e)

Security deposits shall be returned to all individually metered residential customers who have not been delinquent in the payment of their county utility bills within a period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months. This subsection shall apply to all customers with individual residential meters that have paid security deposits for potable water service. The amount to be returned shall include the original security deposit paid to the county plus accrued interest calculated in accordance with subsection (d) of this section. In the sole discretion of the county administrator, the amount may be applied as a credit to the customer's account or paid by county check issued to the customer. If an individually metered residential account with no existing security deposit is turned off for delinquency, a new security deposit shall be required and the twenty-four-month period shall start again. The amount of the new security deposit shall be based on the utility rate resolution in effect at the time.

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