§ 22-2-37. New accounts and deposits.

(a)

An application shall be completed and a $30.00 application fee paid by all new users and consumers of water and sewer services. A $170.00 deposit shall be required of residential users and consumers of water and sewer services. A deposit equal to the average of three-month usage, but not less than a $50.00 minimum deposit shall be required of all commercial consumers of water and sewer services.

(b)

A receipt will be issued to the consumer for any deposit so made, and the deposit may be applied to the payment of any delinquent accounts upon the termination of any service, and if all bills shall have been paid in full to the date of termination of service then the amount shall be refunded, and likewise any excess over delinquent bills may be refunded on termination; however, in connection with delinquent bills the director shall not be required to apply this deposit to the delinquent accounts.

(c)

Any residential consumer with 48 months of payment without delinquency at the same location is eligible for a refund, upon request by the customer, of the water deposit in full. However, the city may again require the deposit as a condition of service upon any subsequent delinquencies in payment.

(d)

If the deposit on a commercial account is inadequate under the provisions of these sections, the city shall have the authority to contact the party responsible for the account in order to secure additional funds sufficient to raise the deposit to an adequate level. If the account holder refuses to increase the deposit, the city shall have the right to terminate services to that account after proper notice is given.

(e)

If the deposit on a commercial account is more than adequate under the provisions of these sections, the city shall have the authority to refund the excess deposit to the account holder upon written request of the account holder.

(f)

Reserved.

(g)

Any prior water/sewer account balance or balances owed by any new water/sewer user or consumer applicant, must be paid in full prior to the new service being connected.

(Code 1959, § 20-1-36; Ord. No. 1715, 3-22-94; Ord. No. 1824, 3-4-97; Ord. No. 1881, 3-23-99; Ord. No. 2312 , § 4, 9-20-2016)