A. Billing Period. Sewer service charges provided for in this chapter shall be billed by the public works department. Property owners shall be billed every other month on or about the twenty-fifth day of the month and charges shall be due on the twentieth day of the following month after the date of invoice.

B. Delinquent Accounts – Penalty. All charges for sewer service furnished by the city shall be due and payable to the city on the date shown on the face of the bill. Charges for services remaining unpaid at the close of business on the twentieth day following the billing date shall be considered delinquent and automatically subject to an additional late charge, as a penalty. Late charges shall be as established by resolution of the city.

C. Delinquent Accounts – Sewer Lien. In addition to all other remedies authorized by this chapter, the city shall have a lien for unpaid rates and charges for sewer service, penalties levied pursuant to RCW 35.67.190 and BMC 18.03.570 as now existing or hereafter amended, and connection charges, including interest thereon, against the premises to which the service has been furnished or is available. The city may foreclose the lien under procedures set forth in Chapter 35.67 RCW, as now existing or hereafter amended.

D. Sewer Lien – Effective Period. The city’s sewer lien shall be effective for a total of six months’ delinquent sewer service charges without the necessity of any writing or recording of the lien with the county auditor.

E. Alternative Enforcement of Lien – Water Cutoff. As an additional and concurrent method of enforcing the lien authorized by this chapter, the city shall have the right to cut off the water service to the premises to which such sewer service was furnished until all charges are paid, including interest, connection charges and penalties levied under RCW 35.67.190, together with a cutoff fee, as may be established from time to time by resolution of the city council; provided, however, where a sewer lien notice is required to be recorded, water service may only be cut off within two years from the date of recording of the lien notice.

F. Water Leaks – Adjustments to Bill. For property owners whose billing is based on water consumption, adjustments in billing charges may be made in the event of increased water usage due to leaks in the property owner’s system. If a property owner wishes an adjustment in a billing charge due to a water leak, a written request must be submitted to the finance director. The written request shall include the name, address, telephone number and service address, if different than above, of the property owner requesting the adjustment, the date and proof of adequate repair of the leak which may be established by receipt or billing for repair work and/or materials if the repair was accomplished by the property owner. Credit shall be posted to the account on the billing following submittal of proof of repair for a period extending up to 120 days prior to the date of repair. The charge for sewer shall be based on the water consumption history and other factors which, in the determination of the finance director, affect the property owner’s water consumption.

G. Responsibility of Sewer Charges. Charges for sewer service shall be the responsibility of the property owner.

H. NSF Checks. Pursuant to RCW 62A.3-515, if a check received in payment for sewer service charges is dishonored by nonacceptance or nonpayment, the city shall charge a reasonable handling fee fixed from time to time by resolution of the city council. If the check is not paid within 15 days after notice of dishonor, sent by certified mail to the last known address of the person responsible therefor, the drawer of said check shall be liable for interest, collection costs and attorneys’ fees incurred in collecting the dishonored check. In addition, in the event of a court action on the dishonored check, after notice and the expiration of 15 days, the city shall be entitled to damages in the amount of three times the face value of the check or $300.00, whichever is less, pursuant to RCW 62A.3-515. (Ord. 2287 § 3, 2019; Ord. 2105 § 3, 2012; Ord. 1849 § 1, 2001; Ord. 1848 § 3, 2001; Ord. 1634 § 1, 1996).