Agenda Packets - 2003/07/07 - Laserfiche WebLink

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POLICY FOR PUBLIC UTILITY ACCOUNT COLLECTIONS PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to provide an orderly and reasonable method for the collection of accounts of the various utilities operated by the City of Mounds View and any which may be added in the future. This policy is intended to follow with the provisions of Minnesota State Law, Mounds View City Charter and City Ordinances. Utilities currently operated by the City of Mounds View and the corresponding city code sections are as follows: Water, Chapter 906; Sanitary Sewer, Chapter 907; Street Lighting, Chapter 904; and Storm Water, Chapter 908. POLICY In keeping with Minnesota State Law, all municipal utility services shall be considered to be services to the property, not to the person. All residential utility services shall be billed to the owner of the property, not to the tenant. Commercial or industrial properties may be billed to either the owner or tenant. Utility services shall be billed to the appropriate party by the Finance Department according to the rate schedule adopted annually by resolution by the City Council. Utility accounts shall become due immediately following billing and must be paid by the due date printed on the bill. Special assessment against the benefited property of any delinquent unpaid accounts shall be considered as the primary means of collection. Shutting off of water service to the benefited property shall be an alternate means of collection in any situation where special assessment isn’t possible or practical and for situations where the customer has failed to provide a water meter reading for more than four quarters. Any City utility service for which a rate schedule is established by resolution is eligible for collection by means of either special assessment or water shut off. PROCEDURE NORMAL BILLING AND COLLECTION 1. A meter reading shall be obtained by electronic means if possible or from contact with the customer. Customers who’s electronic meter isn’t functioning must allow access by City personnel to fix a meter. Customers who refuse to allow access to a meter will face the shut off of water service. 2. A public utility bill is due 28 days from the date of billing. 3. The late payment penalty as defined in the rate schedule shall be applied five working days after the due date.