§ 2-31-266. Enforcement.

(a)

Bills are due and payable twenty-one (21) days from the billing date. At the discretion of the county administrator, any customer whose account is delinquent may enter into an agreement with the county to make payments on the delinquent account until the past due amount is paid in full. At the discretion of the county administrator, service may be disconnected on delinquent accounts. Notice will be sent giving a date after which service may be terminated.

(b)

The county reserves the right to increase the security deposit for any customer who is delinquent three (3) or more times or who has presented two (2) or more dishonored payments in a twelve-month period. The maximum deposit required shall not exceed five (5) times the amount of the security deposit based on the utility rate resolution in effect at the time.

(c)

Non-payment when due may result in:

(1)

Application of the security deposit to pay any amount past due on a delinquent account;

(2)

Discontinuance of potable water, reclaimed water, and/or wastewater service;

(3)

The recording of a lien against the property; and/or

(4)

The filing of a lawsuit in a court of competent jurisdiction.

For reinstatement of service, all appropriate fees and charges must be paid. If a potable water or wastewater line has been capped and has to be reconnected, the actual costs of capping and reconnection may be charged, in addition to all other charges of the county. Potable water and reclaimed water will be subject to consumption charges based on the estimated use, all applicable charges, and the county's cost of disconnection. This includes connection to fire hydrants and fire lines for other than testing and emergency fire fighting. The county provides services relating to potable water, reclaimed water, wastewater, solid waste, landfill, and other public services. Failure to maintain current payment terms for all services rendered by the county may result in discontinuance of any or all services provided. At the discretion of the county administrator, payment for all services in arrears may be required, as well as additional security deposit requirements, prior to reinitiation of current or future service. Tenants with discontinued service due to delinquency will have their accounts closed and the meters locked or pulled, and the owner according to the county ad valorem tax rolls, public records, or deed will be established as the customer and will be billed monthly customer base charges until an account is established in the name of a new tenant. Any quantity rates during that time will be billed to the tenants who incurred such consumption.

(d)

Unauthorized use of county potable water, reclaimed water, or wastewater service will result in imposition of retail quantity rates based on the estimated usage, all applicable fees and charges, and the county's cost of disconnection. This includes unauthorized connections to fire hydrants and fire lines for other than testing and emergency firefighting.

(e)

Any customer connected to the wastewater system that disconnects for other than repair purposes will be required to pay the cost incurred by the county to reconnect. The county shall have the right to enter private property for the purpose of reconnection.

(f)

Customers who knowingly supply potable water to residences or businesses that have been disconnected for non-payment of security deposits or bills will be liable for payment of the customer base charges and quantity rates for all units being served and discontinuance of potable water service.

(Ord. No. 07-62, § 1, 8-7-07; Ord. No. 10-69, §§ 18, 19, 11-9-10; Ord. No. 14-09, § 12, 1-29-14)