Wheatland Municipal Code Ch. 13.44 Billing Procedures

A. Bills become delinquent ten days after the date upon which they are due. In each case where any bill for water service remains unpaid for sixty days after such bill becomes delinquent, the city shall cause the premises to be disconnected from the municipal water system. Whenever the service to any parcel of land is disconnected for nonpayment of a bill, such water customer shall, upon full payment of delinquent bill and before such service is again resumed, pay to the city a reconnection charge in an amount established by city council resolution, which may be amended from time to time.

B. When service has been discontinued through any fault of the water customer, the city shall require payment of any outstanding water bill plus the reconnection charge established pursuant to subsection A, and the city may require a deposit of one month's charges in advance.

C. In the event of disputed bills, the water customer shall deposit the amount demanded with the city and the matter shall be referred to the city council.

D. For all properties other than residential properties, monthly bills for water and sewer charges, delinquent notices, and shutoff notices will be mailed to the landowner.

E. For residential properties, monthly bills for water and sewer charges, delinquent notices, and shutoff notices will be mailed to the property owner. If the tenant has taken responsibility for water service, then the tenant will also be mailed the monthly bill and notices.

(Ord. 291 § 9, 1984; Ord. 319, 1988; Ord. 324, 1988; Ord. 420 § 2, 2010; Ord. 472 § 4, 2020)

A policy for disconnection of residential water services for nonpayment shall be adopted by resolution of the council.

(Ord. 472 § 5, 2020)

A. Charges for water when the landowner is the water customer shall be a lien upon the premises as provided by statute. Whenever a bill for water service remains unpaid ninety days after the bill is due, the city may file with the recorder of the county a statement of lien claim. This statement shall contain the legal description of the premises served, the amount of the unpaid bill, and a notice that the city claims a lien for this amount as well as for all charges for water serviced subsequent to the period covered by the bill. A list of all such delinquent charges shall be recorded at least every six months.

B. A deposit is required for all tenants that take responsibility for water service at a property. The deposit amount will be set by council resolution and amended from time to time. Whenever a bill for water service remains unpaid sixty days after the bill becomes delinquent, the city will apply the deposit amount to pay the outstanding charges and service will be disconnected. If service is disconnected for non-payment, the tenant will be required to pay the reconnection fee in addition to the deposit amount to resume service. The city will us all legal remedies available to collect unpaid utility charges.

(Ord. 291 § 10, 1984; Ord. 472 § 6, 2020)

Property may be discharged from the lien within one year from the date of recording by the payment of all delinquent charges plus penalties.

(Ord. 291 § 11, 1984)

A. Property subject to a filed lien for unpaid water charges shall be sold for nonpayment of the same, and the proceeds of such sale shall be applied to pay the charges, after deducting costs, as in the case of the foreclosure of statutory liens.

B. The city attorney is authorized and directed to institute such proceedings, in the name of the city, in any court having competent jurisdiction over such matters, against any property for which a water bill has remained unpaid ninety days after the bill was due.

(Ord. 291 § 12, 1984)

As a separate, distinct and cumulative remedy established for the collection of said charges and penalties thereon an action may be brought in the name of the city in any court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the lien of the charge and penalties thereon. In such action a reasonable attorney's fee shall be awarded plaintiff.

(Ord. 291 § 13, 1984)