For purposes of this article utility services shall include water, sewer, solid waste (refuse) and other utility services provided by the city.

(Code 2016)

Unless otherwise provided, water, sewer, solid waste (refuse) or other utility service shall be terminated for nonpayment of service fees or charges in accordance with sections 15-103:104. 

(Code 2016)

(a)   If a utility bill has not been paid on or before the due date as provided in this chapter, a delinquency and termination notice shall be issued by the city clerk within five days after the delinquency occurs and mailed to the customer at his or her last known address.  A copy also shall be mailed to the occupant of the premises if the occupant and the customer are not the same person.

(b)   The notice shall state:

(1)   The amount due, plus delinquency charge;

(2)   Notice that service will be terminated if the amount due is not paid within 7 days from the date of the notice unless a hearing is requested as set forth below;

(3)   Notice that the customer has the right to a hearing before a hearing officer designated by the City, subject to the conditions set forth below;

(4)   Notice that the request for a hearing must be in writing and filed with the city clerk no later than twenty-four hours prior to the date for termination of service.

(c)   Upon receipt of a proper request for hearing, the city clerk shall advise the customer of the date, time, and place of the hearing which shall be held within three working days following receipt of the request.

(Ord. 200-01-08; Code 2016; Ord. 15-2018)

Following the hearing, if the hearing officer shall find that service should not be terminated, then notice of such finding shall be presented to the city clerk. If the officer finds that service should be terminated, an order shall be issued terminating service five days after the date of the order. The customer shall be notified either in person or by mailing a letter to his or her last known address by certified mail, return receipt requested. However, if the order is made at the hearing in the presence of the customer, then no further notice need be given. The hearing officer has a right, for good cause, to grant an extension, not to exceed 10 days, for the termination of such service. 

(Ord. 200-01-08; Code 2016)

(a)   Any party desiring service shall be required to sign a contract with the City of Mayetta and make a deposit with the City Clerk in the sum of One Hundred Fifty ($150) dollars.

(b)   After twelve (12) months service with no delinquency’s or disruptions in service because of water shut offs the deposit will be returned.

(c)   In the case of the customer terminating service the deposit with interest thereon, will be returned upon payment of final bill. If the final becomes delinquent the deposit will be applied to the bill. Interest on the deposit will be paid as long as the deposit is being held. 

(Ord. 200-01-10; Code 2016)

(a)   In the event that any person shall fail to pay the fees or charges for such utility services(s), utility service shall be terminated as provided in sections 15-102:104. The governing body may refuse the delivery of utility service(s), as permitted by law, until such time as the fees and charges are paid in full.

(b)   In the event that any person residing, occupying, using or operating on property to which utility service(s) furnished by the city is not paid, the unpaid fees or charges shall constitute a lien upon the property to which the utilities are furnished. The amount of the unpaid fees or charges shall be certified by the governing body to the county clerk of the county in which the property is located, to be placed upon the tax roll for collection, subject to the same penalties and collected in the same manner as other taxes are collected by law.

(c)   The lien, described in subsection (b) of this section, shall not attach to property for unpaid utility fees or charges when the utility service(s) have been contracted for by a tenant and not by the landlord or owner of the property to which the utility service is provided.

(d)   If at the time of application for utility service the applicant has an outstanding balance or unpaid fees or charges for utility services provided by the city, the application shall not be accepted until all fees or charges are paid in full.

(Ord. 200-01-08; Code 2016)

(a)   Owners of premises served by utility service under this article shall be liable for payment of the costs of any utility service account delinquency arising from service provides to such premises, regardless of whether the utility service was furnished upon the application and request of the owner or lessee of the premises. This provision shall also apply when the premises are leased by or through an agent or other representative of the owner.

(b)   In the event that a delinquency arises involving leased premises, in addition to the tenant, the owner or owner’s agent shall be notified in writing of the delinquency of the lessee by first class regular mail within 10 days after the billing to the lessee becomes delinquent. Notice shall be sufficient if mailed to the last known address of the owner or owner’s agent known to city personnel responsible for said mailing, after reasonable inquiry. 

(c)   If utility service is furnished to a leased premises on the application or request of the lessor of the premises, then all billings for utilities furnished to such leased premises shall be made directly to the lessor, and the lessor shall be fully liable for the cost of service finished. 

(d)   The city may collect the amount of the unpaid bill for utility services by any lawful means. Provided, however, that in no event may the city place a lien, as provided in subsection (b) of 15-106, on real estate of the lessor. 

(Code 2016)

A petty cash fund in the amount of $100 is established for the use of the city utilities department, for the purpose of paying postage, freight, temporary labor, and other emergency expenses. 

(Code 2016)

The petty cash fund shall be held by the city clerk and paid out on order of receipt which shall state clearly the purpose for which issued. 

(Code 2016)

Whenever the petty cash fund becomes low or depleted, the city clerk shall submit a voucher to the governing body for review. Warrants issued upon approval shall be payable to petty cash to restore said petty cash fund to its original amount.

(Code 2016)