Watsonville Municipal Code Art. 3 Payment and Billing Procedures

The Council shall, from time to time, by resolution fix the various rates, charges, and frequency of billing, for the following services. Such rates shall be subject to annual Consumer Price Index (CPI) adjustments, unless a different adjustment is directed by Council resolution. These adjustments shall be made effective at the beginning of the City’s fiscal year:

(a) Sanitary Sewer Rates;

(b) Water Rates and Deposits;

(c) Solid Waste Rates and Deposits;

(d) Fire Protection Meters and Detector Check Rates;

(e) Restoration of City Utility Service Charge;

(f) Service Activation Fee;

(g) Penalty Fee/Late Charges;

(h) Water Construction Fees;

(i) Water Connection Fees;

(j) Sanitary Sewer Connection Fees;

(k) Storm Sewer Connection Fees;

(l) Service Availability Charges.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

The City shall charge the established rates fixed by Council resolution, except no charge shall be made for water used to extinguish accidental fires.

Unlawful Use of Water. Water used in violation of City regulations shall be paid for by the customer at double the consumption charge established by Council resolution.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Each water meter shall be billed separately and the reading of two or more meters shall not be combined. The water service availability charges will apply to each metered service.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Water service availability charges as well as minimum solid waste and minimum sanitary sewer charges will be charged unless and until the customer satisfactorily closes his/her account with the City and no longer occupies the location where service is provided.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Applicants who have not subscribed to City utility service in the last twelve (12) months shall be required to pay a service activation fee.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Before City utility service is provided to a property formerly occupied by a customer with an account not in good standing, the City may require:

(a) That the customer with an account not in good standing pay all its own unpaid obligations due and payable to the City, including fees, interest, penalties, and costs of collection.

(b) That the new customer make a deposit in an amount established by Council resolution. The deposit may be credited to the customer’s account if service has been continued for twelve (12) months and all bills have been paid without penalty. If the service is discontinued within the first twelve (12) months, the deposit will be refunded less the amount of unpaid bills. No interest will be paid on deposits.

(c) That the customer account be opened and maintained in good standing by the property owner of the property where the service is provided, rather than the occupant.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000, as amended by § 1, Ord. 1176-04 C-M, eff. June 8, 2004)

A customer shall notify the City at least twenty-four (24) hours before a City utility service is to be canceled or transferred to a new location. Failure to notify the City shall be cause to hold the customer responsible for all charges up to and including the date the City became aware that the customer has vacated the service location.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Charges for City utility services for newly constructed buildings shall commence upon the issuance of an occupancy permit by the City Building Official.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Payment terms and schedules may be established by resolution of the Council.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

If all or part of a City utility bill is not paid when due, any or all of the City utility services may be suspended. Partial payments will be applied proportionately between all unpaid City utility services. If the delinquent amount has not been received by the delinquent date, a final notice shall be mailed at least five (5) days prior to suspension of service. If a customer receives City utility service at more than one location and the bill for service at any or all locations has not been received by the City by the delinquent date, City utility services at any or all of the customer’s locations may be suspended. Upon the discretion of the Director, all unpaid City utility charges may be placed as a lien against the property where the unpaid services were provided.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

The customer must sign and file a statement of non receipt with the Finance Department for any bill not received. The Finance Department will then file a Complaint of Loss (Form 1510) with the local Postmaster. Only after the form has been successfully processed by the local Postmaster may the delinquent penalty fee be refunded or removed.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

Should a customer inform the City that a payment was mailed to the City, but has not been received by the City, the penalty shall be refunded or removed only after the customer provides proof that a Complaint of Loss was filed with the Postmaster at the point of mailing.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)

The City will pass-through to water customers all fees imposed on the City by the PVWMA. These fees will be collected in addition to the monthly consumption rate and will be included on the customer’s regular City utility bill.

(§ 1, Ord. 1088-00 C-M, eff. April 14, 2000)