§ 70-101. Deposits required; refund policy.

(a)

Deposits. All deposits being held by the city as of the effective date of this section shall be retained in a non-interest bearing account. Upon the discontinuance of service and following payment of the final bill, such deposit shall be refunded. The city may apply the amount of any deposit against the final bill and refund the difference, if any, to the customer. Any utility accounts created subsequent to the passing of this Ordinance 2010-27 shall require the non-refundable fee provided for in section 70-96 and section 70-102(B) herein.

(b)

Use of fire hydrants. Prior to using water from a fire hydrant for a non-emergency purpose, an individual shall receive permission from the utility department and pay a deposit established by resolution of the city council and on file in the city clerk's office. This deposit is refundable to the extent that the actual cost of water used from the hydrant is less than the deposit or in full if complete payment is made for all water used.

(c)

Delinquent accounts. If any one customer allows three or more monthly accounts to become delinquent in any part of a calendar year, the city manager or designee shall have the authority to require any customer who has paid a meter deposit to pay a meter deposit double the amount of the present meter deposit. Further, the city may collect any fees or costs, including but not limited to, attorney fees and court costs, city incurs in collecting or attempting to collect payment pursuant to this chapter.

(Code 1980, § 21-60; Ord. No. 2001-26, § 2(21-60), 9-25-2001; Ord. No. 2006-14, § 5, 4-11-2006; Ord. No. 2010-27, § 4, 2-15-2011)

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