Ceres Municipal Code Ch. 10 Collection; Enforcement of Rates

All water service rates and charges may be billed on the same bill as, and collected together with, rates and charges for other City services. If all or any part of such bill is not paid, the City may discontinue any or all of the services for which the bill is rendered in the manner set forth in this article.

(Ord. No. 2019-1054, § 2, 12-9-2019)

The City shall issue bills for residential, commercial and all other forms of service rendered pursuant to this chapter at least every two months. The City may issue bills every month for service rendered. In switching from one billing period to another billing period, the City may issue bills for a service period longer than one month, but less than or equal to two months. Each bill shall specify the dates of the service period.

(Ord. No. 2019-1054, § 2, 12-9-2019)

A. The City shall bill the property owner or designee directly for all service provided to the owner's property.

B. The property owner shall be liable for payment of all City charges regardless of whether the bill is sent to the owner's personal business or residential address, or to the address of the owner's property to which the service is supplied.

(Ord. No. 2019-1054, § 2, 12-9-2019)

The City's bill for service rendered is due and payable when issued. Each bill shall specify the date it is issued and the date when payment is due. A bill shall be delinquent if payment for the entire amount of the bill is not received by the City by the later of:

A. The last day of the service period specified on the bill; or

B. One month after the date the bill is issued by the City.

(Ord. No. 2019-1054, § 2, 12-9-2019)

A. Basic penalty. City shall levy a basic penalty of ten percent of each months charges for the first delinquent month. City shall levy an additional penalty of one-half percent per month to all delinquent charges and basic penalties remaining unpaid thereafter, until the City Council requests the City Finance Director to include the amount of all delinquencies on the bills for taxes levied against the appropriate premises as set forth in title 13.

B. Partial payment. Moneys paid where any portion of an account is delinquent shall first be credited to the delinquent portion of the bill and then to the current billing.

C. The basic penalty and additional penalty may be reduced in accordance with criteria authorized by the City Council.

(Ord. No. 2019-1054, § 2, 12-9-2019)

The City may test meters at any time or shall test a meter upon the request of a customer who first deposits with the City an amount prescribed by resolution of the City Council. If the test indicates the meter is registering within five percent of accuracy, the testing fee will be retained by the City to cover its cost of testing. If the test indicates the meter is more than five percent in error, the testing fee shall be refunded to the customer and the City shall repair or replace the meter at its discretion. If the meter error is over five percent, resulting in an overcharge of the customer, the City shall refund to the customer the estimated overcharge for a period of two billing cycles immediately preceding the meter testing. If an error is found that has resulted in the customer underpaying, a supplemental bill may be rendered to the customer equal to the difference between the customer's average bill for the preceding two billing cycles.

(Ord. No. 2019-1054, § 2, 12-9-2019)

The City may adjust or grant rebates from the rates or fees provided in this chapter in the event of a dispute relating to a charge to a customer.

(Ord. No. 2019-1054, § 2, 12-9-2019)