Redding Municipal Code Ch. 14.20 Collection of Public Utility Accounts

"Utilities department" means that facility of the city operating under the direction of the director of utility customer service which has the responsibility of collecting for the utility services.

"Utility" includes all utility services furnished by the city and includes the furnishing of electrical power and services by the electrical department of the city, water by the water department of the city, sanitation services including the collection of garbage and refuse, and sewage disposal service.

(Ord. 1934 § 2 (part), 1990; prior code § 2-85)

Notwithstanding anything provided in this title with respect to the collection of various utility accounts, the following regulations shall govern the collecting of accounts by the utility department and particularly delinquent accounts:

A. All bills for services rendered by the utility department shall be mailed to customers once a month and on a monthly basis.

B. All bills so rendered, if unpaid twenty days after date of mailing, shall become and be deemed delinquent.

C. The procedure for the collection of delinquent utility accounts shall be established by the director of utility customer service, subject to the approval of the city council.

D. All customers of the city having due and unpaid utility accounts shall be required to pay their current utility accounts within twenty days after rendered, plus a separate equal amount each month, to apply on the past due amount, and continuing until the past due account has been fully paid. The penalty for failing to comply with this provision shall be the immediate discontinuance of utility service until such time as the entire account due and payable has been paid in full.

E. In cases of extreme and unusual hardship, the penalties for failure to pay delinquent or past due and payable accounts as provided for in this section may be suspended for a designated and limited period of time, and service may be continued for a period not to exceed ninety days, for good cause shown, by written consent of the director of utility customer service, and in his absence, the city manager. A report of the case will be made to the city council at the next meeting following the approval of such a hardship case. The finding of extreme hardship shall be within the discretion of the above-named individuals, but as a guide the following are deemed to be examples of extreme hardship cases which would justify suspension of penalties:

1. Where the head of a household, because of extreme illness, is unable to meet any of his obligations; and

2. In case of a widow with minor children who is temporarily out of gainful employment and has no source of income for herself or for her family.

(Ord. 1934 § 2 (part), 1990; prior code § 2-86)