§ 13.04.120. Billing and payments.

(A)

Meter readings.

(1)

Meters will be read and customers billed on the basis of the meter reading to the nearest cubic foot.

(2)

The Water Department will keep an accurate account on its books of all readings of meters and such account so kept shall be offered at all times, places and courts as prima facie evidence of the use of water service by the customer.

(B)

Rendering of bills.

(1)

Billing period. All meters shall be read and bills rendered monthly.

(2)

Bills for other than normal billing period. Opening or closing bills shall be prorated for that month.

(3)

Bills for more than one meter. All meters supplying a customer's premises shall be billed separately, except that where the Water Department has for operating purposes installed two or more meters in place of one, the reading may be combined for billing.

(C)

Disputed bills. When a customer disputes the correctness of a bill, they shall deposit the amount of the disputed bill at the time the complaint is lodged, to preclude discontinuance of service pending final settlement of the bill or bills. Subsequent bills shall be paid or placed on deposit in a similar manner. Failure of the customer to make such a deposit shall warrant discontinuance of service as provided under subsection (G) of this section.

(D)

Allowance for leakage.

(1)

The customer retains control over the use of water on the customer's premises, and as such, the customer is responsible for all the water passing through the meter, including water which may be lost or wasted through leaking pipes or fixtures. No allowance in charges for water used will be made for leaks that occur on the customer's premises or in the customer's line except under the following conditions:

a.

The leak causes an increase in the customer's water bill by over 100 percent of normal usage for that month.

b.

The customer can show that the occurrence of the leak was beyond their control.

c.

The customer can show that they made a diligent effort to repair the leak within 24 hours of discovery.

d.

The water did not flow into the sewer system.

e.

The City's Public Works Department must verify that the leak was due to a break or occurrence beyond the customer's control.

(2)

Upon acceptance by the City for allowing the relief from full charges, the customer will be billed for the usage caused by the leak at the same rate that the Medford Water Commission bills the City for the water, plus an additional 20 percent overhead.

(E)

Failure to read meters. In the event that it shall be impossible or impractical to read a meter on the regular reading date, the water consumption shall be pro-rated on the basis of 30 days per month and the total water consumption for billing purposes for that period shall be estimated.

(F)

Payment of bills. Each bill rendered shall contain the final date on which payment is due. If the bill is not paid by that date, the account shall be considered delinquent, unless other arrangements have been made with the Water Department in writing that specifies another due date.

(G)

Delinquent accounts.

(1)

Delinquent notice. A reminder of account delinquency may be sent, at the discretion of the Utility Clerk, to each delinquent account on or about ten days after the account becomes delinquent. A late fee as established by resolution may be added to their bill if the past due amount is not paid by the 25th of the month.

(2)

Turnoff notice. When a past due amount is not paid by the date indicated on the delinquent notice, a turnoff notice will be delivered to the property. Said notice shall state a date on which water will be turned off if delinquent account is not paid in full prior thereto. A hang-tag fee as established by resolution will be charged to the customer.

(3)

Service turnoff date. The meter reader or other agent of the City shall deliver a written notice to the customer stating that the water service is being turned off until all delinquent amounts have been paid. The meter reader or other agent of the City shall immediately thereafter turn off the service. A delivery to the premises served by the meter shall be considered a delivery to the customer.

(4)

Service charge. In all instances where water has been turned off because of delinquent accounts, a service charge as established by resolution shall be made for the restoration of services.

(H)

Installment payments of delinquent accounts. In cases of extreme hardship, the Utility Clerk shall have the discretion of renewing service to a delinquent account upon receipt of a satisfactory installment plan for the payment of the overdue amount, installment period not to exceed the period of time the account was delinquent.

(Ord. No. 404, § 11, 11-2-1993; Ord. No. 488, 5-4-1999; Ord. No. 494, 10-5-1999)