Vallejo Municipal Code Ch. 11.44 Billing

A. Bills for all metered service will be rendered monthly or bimonthly as determined by the water system. Meters shall be read at approximately equal intervals for the preparation of periodic billing. Special readings shall be taken for opening or closing bills.

B. Monthly billing periods shall apply to the following classes of customer accounts:

1. Accounts having a usage of twenty thousand cubic feet or more of water used during any two consecutive months of the preceding twelve month period;

2. Accounts of water service outside the boundaries of Vallejo judicial township;

3. Accounts of "temporary service connections";

4. Accounts of "fire service connections";

5. Accounts under "contract;"

C. Bi-monthly billing periods shall apply to all accounts not listed in subsection B of this section.

(Ord. 324 N.C. § 12.01, 1958.)

Each meter on a customer's premises shall be billed separately and the readings of two or more meters will not be combined unless the water system shall, for operating convenience or necessity, install two or more meters in place of one.

(Ord. 324 N.C. § 12.02, 1958.)

If a consumer is found to be using water for which no bills have been issued, the water system shall install a meter and render an average bill for a period of twelve months last past or for as much of the past twelve months as the consumer has been occupying or in possession of the premises without paying bills.

(Ord. 324 N.C. § 12.03, 1958.)

If the total period of service is less than thirty days, monthly minimum charges shall be applied to the account. If the total period of service is greater than thirty-six days but less than sixty-six days the bi-monthly minimum charges shall be applied to the account. Except in either case if the quantity of water consumed is greater than that for the periodic minimum, the charges shall be calculated on the actual water consumption.

(Ord. 324 N.C. § 12.04, 1958.)

Bills are due and payable on presentation. Payment shall be made at the commercial services division of the finance department or other place(s) designated by the finance director.

(Ord. 1503 N.C.(2d) § 3, 2003: Ord. 324 N.C. § 12.05, 1958.)

All bills become delinquent thirty days after the date shown on the bill and a late payment penalty, as established by city council resolution, shall be assessed. In addition to the late payment penalty assessed, a finance charge shall be assessed, at the rate established by city council resolution, from the date on which the bill became delinquent until paid. Service may be discontinued for nonpayment of a bill for services rendered if said bill, including penalty and interest owed, has not been paid within five days after the delinquent date.

(Ord. 1503 N.C.(2d) § 4, 2003: Ord. 1212 N.C.(2d) § 1, 1992: Ord. 324 N.C. § 12.06, 1958.)

When the water service customer is also the owner of the property for which water service is being supplied, then charges that remain unpaid forty-five days following the past due date may be recovered through a lien on the property.

(Ord. 1503 N.C.(2d) § 5, 2003.)

If a customer receives service at more than one service location and the bill for any one of that customer's accounts becomes delinquent and service is discontinued, service at all other locations may also be discontinued.

(Ord. 324 N.C. § 12.07, 1958.)

When water service has been discontinued because of delinquency in payment of a water bill the customer shall pay a disconnection fee, as established by city council resolution. The water service shall not be turned on until all charges together with a reconnection fee, as established by city council resolution, has been paid, and a cash deposit is made to reestablish credit pursuant to Section 11.44.081.

(Ord. 1503 N.C.(2d) § 6, 2003: Ord. 897 N.C.(2d) § 1, 1986: Ord. 324 N.C. § 12.08, 1958.)

A. Any customer shall be required to reestablish credit in any of the following cases:

1. If the customer's service was discontinued for nonpayment;

2. If the customer has had a check for water services returned to the city for insufficient funds;

3. If for any reason, the deposit furnished by the customer becomes inadequate under the provisions of this title; or

4. If the customer files for bankruptcy.

B. When a customer is required to reestablish credit, the deposit amount shall be set as follows:

1. Residential Customers. The deposit shall be the lesser of: a) an amount not to exceed a sum equal to twice the estimated periodic bill, based on the customer's prior twelve months of consumption, or b) two hundred dollars, which may be adjusted from time to time by. the finance director. At least one-half of the deposit required to reestablish credit must be paid at the time service is reestablished, with the remaining amount to be due with the next regularly scheduled billing.

Should a residential customer be required to reestablish credit for a second time, the deposit amount shall not be less than a sum equal to twice the estimated periodic bill based on the customer's prior twelve months of consumption and which may be adjusted from time to time by the finance director.

2. Commercial Customers. The deposit amount shall be the greater of: a) the sum equal to four times the estimated average monthly bill based on the customer's prior twelve months of consumption, or b) six hundred dollars which may be adjusted from time to time by the finance director.

Should a commercial customer be required to reestablish credit for a second time, the finance director shall fix the amount so that the city will not be required to risk a loss as a result of nonpayment of bills by the customer.

(Ord. 1503 N.C.(2d) § 7, 2003)

If, after service is discontinued for delinquency in payment, service is resumed without authorization, the city may remove the meter or take other actions to prevent the unauthorized use of water. If a request for restoration of service is made, the service shall not be turned on until the customer has paid the city for the actual cost of the work, including labor and materials, performed to prevent the unauthorized use of water and an unauthorized turn on fee, as established by city council resolution.

(Ord. 1503 N.C.(2d) § 8, 2003: Ord. 897 N.C.(2d) § 2, 1986; Ord. 324 N.C. § 12.09, 1958.)

In case of dispute as to payment of a bill previously rendered, the customer will be required to present the receipted bill, canceled check or other satisfactory evidence before adjustment or correction shall be made.

(Ord. 324 N.C. § 12.10, 1958.)

A. No allowance will be made for a leak or loss of water except upon findings in writing by the water superintendent that there are extenuating circumstances for the leak or loss clearly beyond the control of the customer; and, in addition, that imposition of the full charge for the water would work an extreme economic or financial hardship on the customer, and approval of said written findings by the city manager. An adjustment will only be granted after repairs have been made and it is certain such leak or loss will not again occur. No adjustment or allowance will be made covering more than two consecutive billing periods, including the one in which the same was requested. Not more than one adjustment or allowance shall be made to the same customer for the same premises in any twelve-month period.

B. The water system shall determine the amount of excess delivery by calculating the average bill in accordance with their standard method and subtracting that amount from the total water delivered.

C. Adjustments ordinarily will be made on the basis of one half of the excess delivery but, in the case of concealed leaks in underground or unexposed pipes, full excess may be allowed.

D. The quantity of water for which an adjustment is to be made shall be charged to the customer at the lowest rate applicable to the particular water service connection affected.

E. All other water delivered shall be charged at the regular rates applicable to that customer's account.

(Ord. 377 N.C.(2d) § 4, 1977; Ord. 324 N.C. § 12.11, 1958.)

For water service to premises as defined in Section 11.48.010(A), a credit will be applied to the water bill of single family residential customers who have applied for and found to be eligible to participate in a water rate assistance program. Program eligibility requirements and the amount and method of applying the credit shall be established by city council resolution. Customer income shall be the primary consideration in determining program eligibility.

The credits adopted by city council resolution shall be effective and made applicable to enrolled customers' water bills from and after February 1, 2020, and annually thereafter starting July 1, 2021.

(Ord. No. 1822 N.C. (2d), § 1, 11-19-2019)

After the water system has made a complete inspection of a customer's premises on account of excessive water bills, or upon the request of the customer, or for other reasons, no further inspections shall be made for a period of six months; provided, however, the superintendent may order an inspection at any time if in his opinion conditions warrant.

(Ord. 324 N.C. § 12.12, 1958.)