Town of Munster Water Department

Transcription

1 Twn f Munster Water Department UTILITY BILLING POLICIES, RULES & REGULATIONS The Twn f Munster Water Utility ( Utility ) prvides residential and cmmercial water service t the prperty and business wners ( Custmers ) in the Twn f Munster ( Twn ). This plicy dcument is designed t frmalize the billing prcedures and t prvide clarificatin and guidance fr bth the emplyees and the Custmers f the Twn and the Utility. The plicies, rules and regulatins presented in this dcument are based n State f Indiana statutes, Indiana Administrative Cde, Twn f Munster Municipal Cde (2001 Editin), Twn f Munster Ordinances, Twn f Munster Reslutins and existing Twn f Munster plicies. The Twn f Munster plicies are updated frm time t time based n the adptin f amended r additinal rdinances f the Twn. This dcument serves t fulfill the requirements f 170 IAC CONTENTS: Sectin 1: Cnsumer Water Depsits Sectin 2: Water Utility Bill Sectin 3: Delinquencies and Bad Debts Sectin 4: Terminatin f Service Sectin 5: Billing Adjustments Sectin 6: Rental Prperties Sectin 7: Sprinkler Meters Sectin 1.2 Refund f Depsit Utility depsits shall be credited t the regular bill after twelve (12) mnths f timely payments. If the depsit has nt been refunded, the depsit will be applied t the final utility bill. If the depsit has been refunded due t timely payment and the Custmer mves frm a Munster lcatin t a different lcatin within the Twn f Munster, n depsit will be charged at the new lcatin. The credit r refund is issued t the persn wh made the riginal depsit. Sectin 1.3 Service Agreement At the time f depsit and befre service will begin, the Custmer and Utility will sign an agreement fr services. If a dwelling is wned by mre than ne persn, all wners may be required t sign the Agreement. If nly ne wner signs, it shall be irrebuttably understd that the persn wh signs has signed fr and n behalf f all wners with their implied authrity. All wners shall be jintly and severally liable fr the service charges. Sectin 2: Water Billing Sectin 2.1 General Billing Infrmatin Sectin 1: Cnsumer Water Depsits Sectin 1.1 Required Depsits The Utility will cllect a depsit frm all Custmers. The depsit amunt is based n water meter size and is designed t cver tw (2) mnths f service t include the current minimum charges fr water cnsumptin, hydrant rental, Hammnd Sanitary District administrative and flw charges, sewer maintenance and refuse cllectin fees. A separate depsit is required fr sprinkler meters. The current depsit amunts are as fllws. Primary Meter Sprinkler Meter Meter Size Depsit Amunt Depsit Amunt 5/8 3 /4 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $1, $ $2, $1, $3, $2, Bills are issued n a mnthly basis in arrears. Billing perids run frm the 16 th f ne mnth t the 15 th f the next mnth. Each bill shws the perid cvered and itemizes the charges being cllected. The utility bill encmpasses mre than just the cst f water service as utlined in Sectin 2.4. Mst charges are based n water cnsumptin r a flat fee. After making the required depsit, the Custmer shall have water service turned n and shall be billed cntinually until a request t discntinue service is received by the Utility. The water service must be shut ff by the Utility fr billing t cease n a temprary basis; cnnectin fees t restart the service will apply in these situatins. The varius rates and charges are explained in Sectin 2.3. See Sectin 6.1 Respnsibility f Prperty r Business Owners fr mre infrmatin. Sectin 2.2 Payment Optins The Utility ffers a number f payment ptins including cash, mney rder, certified check, credit card, Autmated Clearing Huse ( ACH ) and nline bill payment. Late payments are subject t late fees which are addressed in Sectin 3.2 f this dcument. Page 1 f 7

2 1. Cash payments shuld be made in persn at the Clerk Treasurer s Office in the Twn Hall. The Utility des nt advcate sending cash thrugh the mail r placing cash in the drp bx in the Twn Hall parking lt. 2. Checks, mney rders and certified checks can be delivered in persn at the Clerk- Treasurer s Office in the Twn Hall, sent thrugh the mail, r placed in the red drp bx in the parking lt f the Twn Hall. Fr accurate psting f the payment, the Utility strngly recmmends putting any f these payment types in an envelpe with the remittance stub befre placing in a mail bx r the drp bx. 3. Credit card payments must be made in persn at the Clerk-Treasurer s Office in the Twn Hall r by accessing the Twn s website ( 4. Autmated Clearing Huse ( ACH ) payments require a ne-time set-up prcess. An authrizatin agreement frm must be submitted with a vided check. The next bill will need t be paid by anther payment methd while the set-up prcess is cmpleted with the bank. After all transit and accunt numbers are verified, the regular mnthly payment will be autmatically debited frm the authrized checking accunt n the payment due date. There is n charge fr this service. 5. Online bank payments are accepted. Payment is credited t the custmer accunt n the day the check is received frm the bank, nt the day the custmer set up the payment with the bank. Late fees will apply t payments made via nline banking that are received by the Utility after the due date. Sectin Applicatin f Payments Payments will be applied t the services in the fllwing rder: water penalties, refuse cllectin, sewer maintenance, hydrant rental, HSD Administratin, HSD Flw, water, sales tax. Sectin 2.3: Water Rates Sectin Water Cnsumptin Rates Water rates are based n cnsumptin. Fllwing are the current rates as f the bill due Octber 20, 2018; these rates can als be fund in Schedule A, 2.A. Mnthly Metered Cnsumptin Rate per 1,000 Gallns First 5,000 gallns $ 3.13 Next 10,000 gallns $ 2.94 Next 20,000 gallns $ 2.73 Next 40,000 gallns $ 2.54 Next 75,000 gallns $ 2.37 Next 150,000 gallns $ 2.19 Sectin Minimum Charges There is a cst t the Utility t prvide service t each custmer regardless f whether r nt water is cnsumed in a given billing perid. In recgnitin f this cst, there is a minimum amunt charged t users each mnth. A minimum bill will include these water charges plus all ther charges utlined in Sectin 2.4. There will be n abatement r pr-ratin f charges by reasn f the extended absence f the Custmer unless the Utility has turned ff the water. The Cnnectin / Recnnectin Charges in Sectin will apply t these situatins. The minimum water amunt is based n meter size and the current rates are as fllws. Meter Size Mnthly Minimum Gallns Mnthly Minimum Charge 5/8-3/4 inch meter 2,967 $ inch meter 7,983 $ inch meter 16,456 $ inch meter 30,048 $ inch meter 68,844 $ inch meter 138,566 $ inch meter 323,380 $ inch meter 557,060 $ 1, Sectin Water Meters and Meter Readings Except in cases f custmer negligence, water meters are supplied, installed and repaired at the expense f the Utility; the size f the meter is determined by the Utility. Initial meters installed in new cnstructin are purchased by the custmer and are nn-refundable. The meters are the prperty f the Utility and are nt t be tampered with r remved by the Custmer. The meters are read mnthly by emplyees f the Utility. The meters are equipped with a transpnder which transmits the reading via radi frequency t a remte device. These readings are then dwnladed int the billing sftware. All meters are read remtely and dwnladed int the billing sftware. Custmers that have nt had a radi frequency meter installed by Page 2 f 7

3 June 2009 will pay a mnthly fee f $60.84 t have their meter read manually. This fee will be in additin t a fine as established by the Twn f Munster. This fee is $100 per mnth as f March 1, 2010 and $250 per mnth as f June 1, If the Utility is unable t gain access t the meter, the mnthly bill will be created using estimated usage based n the average f previus meter readings. The first billing made after the meter is read will be adjusted accrding t the actual reading. N mre than three (3) estimated billings will be allwed; after that, the custmer will be required t grant access t the Utility t repair r replace the meter r face interruptin f service fr nncmpliance. All water passing thrugh the meter shall be charged t the custmer whether the water was used, wasted r lst thrugh leakage. Sectin Reserved Sectin 2.4: Nn-water charges n bill Sectin Sewer Maintenance A Sewer Maintenance Fee is cllected t cver the cst f maintaining and perating the Twn s sanitary sewers and strm water cllectin system. The rate is based n the Assessed STrmwater Run Off area ( ASTRO ). The ASTRO is a prpertyspecific calculatin f the surface area cvered by asphalt, building, grass and dirt. Paved areas cause rainwater t flw thrugh the sewer system. Unpaved areas absrb rainwater and d nt create usage f the sewer system. The current charges are as fllws. Strm Rate I: $14.76 per mnth Strm Rate II: $ x ASTRO; $7.38 minimum Strm Rate III: $ x ASTRO; maximum nt t exceed $74.00 Sectin Hammnd Sanitary District Charges The Twn f Munster is part f the Hammnd Sanitary District ( HSD ) which prvides sewage treatment services. The Utility acts as a billing agent fr the HSD. The HSD assesses tw charges t users f the sanitary sewer system. The Administrative Charge is a flat rate t cver the fixed and administrative csts f the HSD. The current charge is $8.40 per mnth fr residential, cmmercial and industrial users. The Flw Charge is t cver the cst f treating sewage which enters the sanitary sewer system thrugh sinks, flr drains, tilets, etc. The Flw Charge is based n the vlume f water used as measured by the water meter. The current charges were cnfirmed July 2017 and are as fllws. User Type Rate Unit. Residential $2.31 1,000 gallns f water cnsumed Cmmercial $ ,000 gallns f water cnsumed Industrial $.19 pund f COD Industrial $.31 pund f TSS Industrial $ 1.00 ttal TKN It is assumed that during the summer mnths, a prtin f water cnsumptin des nt enter the sanitary sewer system and is nt treated by the HSD. Therefre, a discunt n the Residential Flw Charge is prvided frm May 15 thrugh September 30 each year. There is n discunt n the Cmmercial Flw Charge r the Administrative Charge. Adjustments t the Flw Charge will be made nly in cases f an incrrect meter reading. Adjustments will nt be made t the Administrative Charge. Relief frm these charges due t financial inability t pay must be addressed directly t the HSD. The Utility may turn ff water service, assess a lien against the prperty r request curt actin fr failure t pay the Flw r Administrative Charges. If curt actin is taken t effect cllectin, the Utility has the right t cllect delinquent charges, a ne-time penalty f ten percent (10%) assessed against the ttal utstanding balance and reasnable attrney fees. The Flw and Administrative Charges are included n the mnthly utility bill and receipted int an escrw accunt. The actual dllars cllected fr the mnth are remitted t the HSD n a demand check n the third Thursday f the mnth fllwing the cllectin. Sectin Refuse Cllectin and Dispsal Fee The Refuse fee is a flat rate charged by the Twn fr the cllectin and dispsal f husehld waste, recyclables, yard waste and leaves. The Twn cntracts with a private hauler t prvide this service. The current charges are as fllws. User Mnthly Cntainer Number f Type Amunt Size Weekly Pick-ups Residential $19.43 N/A 1 Page 3 f 7

4 Sectin Hydrant Rental Fee The Hydrant fee is used t cver the cst f prviding water fr firefighting thrugh the installatin and maintenance f fire hydrants as well as prperly sized water lines. The rate varies based n the size f the water meter. The current rates are as fllws. Meter Size Mnthly Charge. 5/8 3 /4 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Private Hydrant Rental $21.80 Private Fire Sprinkler Cnnectins Mnthly Charge 2 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Sectin Miscellaneus Miscellaneus charges are extrardinary charges which usually apply t nly a few husehlds r businesses each billing perid. These charges can include, but are nt limited t the fllwing. Charge Piles are the separate cllectin f large amunts f garbage, debris r yard waste. The Twn infrms the resident f the number f lads required t remve the pile prir t pick-up. The fee is $ per lad with a $ minimum. These fees d nt apply as a result f strms, flds r fires. Cnnectin/Recnnectin Charge is the fee fr turning water service n r ff. Turn n water during regular hurs - $20.00/ccurence Turn ff water during regular hurs - $20.00/ccurence Turn n water after hurs r weekend - $100.00/ccurence Turn ff water after hurs r weekend - $100.00/ccurence Bad check charge is the fee fr checks and Autmated Clearing Huse ( ACH ) payments returned by the bank fr nnsufficient funds, stp payments, r payments drawn against clsed bank accunts. The fee is $ Meter testing dne at the request f the custmer is based n the meter size. If the meter is fund t be ver-registering by mre than tw percent (2%), there will be n charge t the custmer fr the testing. Fllwing are the current charges. Meter Size Cst. 5/8 3 /4 $ $40.00 Over 1 Actual Cst If repairs are needed t a service line it is the respnsibility f the custmer. If the repairs are nt made within tw (2) days f ntificatin by the Utility, the prperty wner will be charged $37.35 per day until the leak is repaired. The Utility may charge fr the time required by Twn f Munster and Utility Staff in respnding t calls initiated by the resident r by resident malfeasance. The Twn may charge the entire hurly wage multiplied by A minimum charge will include ne hur plus the cst f equipment used during the respnse. Further time will be billed in additinal fifteen (15) minute increments. Sectin Indiana Sales Tax Sales tax is cllected n behalf f and remitted t the Indiana Department f Revenue. Sales tax is currently 7% f the water and hydrant rental charges. Sectin 3: Delinquencies and Bad Debts Sectin 3.1 Due Date All Utility payments are due n the 20 th day f the mnth. If the 20 th falls n a weekend r Twn recgnized hliday, payment is due n the next business day. The fllwing are nw recgnized as Twn hlidays. New Year s Eve New Year s Day Gd Friday Memrial Day Independence Day Labr Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Friday after Thanksgiving Christmas Eve Christmas Day Page 4 f 7

5 Sectin 3.2 Late Fees Payments that are nt received by the due date will be charged a late fee as set ut in Schedule A, 2.A.12. A flat fee is charged fr late payments based n meter size. The current late fees are as fllws. Meter Size Late Fee. 5/8 $ $ ½ 2 $30.00 All meters larger than % The late fee can be waived ne time if the custmer payment histry shws n delinquencies fr the previus twelve (12) mnths. The late fee can be waived ne time if the custmer signs up fr Autmated Clearing Huse ( ACH ) payment f all future utility bills. Sectin 3.3 Cntinued Delinquency A delinquent bill will be mailed t the custmer by the 25 th f each mnth ntifying the custmer f the delinquent status f the accunt. Accunts that are in a delinquent status will be subject t the fllwing. 1. Within 4 days f the regular due date, a delinquent bill will be sent by regular mail with 7 days t pay. 2. A regular bill shwing the new mnthly charges and the delinquent charges will be delivered at the first f the mnth. 3. If n payment is received, the huse will be tagged fr shut-ff with reference t Rule 16.2 [170IAC ]. The water will be turned ff in accrdance with the regulatins set frth in 170 IAC If service is shut ff and the custmer shws cause fr his inability t pay the full amunt due (financial hardship shall cnstitute cause), and said custmer: a. Pays a reasnable prtin (nt t exceed $10 r 1/10 th f the bill, whichever is less, unless the custmer agrees t a greater prtin) f the bill; and b. Agrees t pay the remainder f the utstanding bill within three (3) mnths; and c. Agrees t pay all undisputed future bills fr service as they becme due; and d. Has nt breached any similar agreement with the Utility made pursuant t this rule within the past twelve mnths plus $40.00 discnnect/recnnect r after hur charges, if applicable is required. The Custmer shall have the ptin f a lnger payment perid, f up t six mnths, by paying at least 1/6 th f the utstanding balance plus (c) and (d). Failure t meet ne payment n the payment plan results in immediate shut-ff with service reinstated after all charges are paid in full. If shut ff ccurs due t default n a payment plan, Custmer waives all rights t a hearing and service will be reinstated after all charges, including discnnect/recnnect, are paid in full. 5. All payments t avid shut-ff r t reinstate service must be made in cash, mney rder, certified check r VISA/Mastercard in the Office f the Clerk-Treasurer. Except fr emergency requirements, if after 120 days fllwing a billing perid the Twn s cllectin effrts have failed, and a cntinuing schedule f peridic payments has nt been achieved, the accunt may be turned ver t a cllectin agency r the Twn Attrney fr further cllectin effrts. If curt actin is taken t effect cllectin, the Utility has the right t cllect delinquent charges, a ne-time penalty f ten percent (10%) assessed against the ttal utstanding balance and reasnable attrney fees. At such time as the Clerk-Treasurer and Twn Manager agree in writing that cllectin effrts with respect t utility bills shuld cease, then further cllectin effrts shall cease. At n time shall the balance due be written r charged ff except as allwed by law. The Clerk-Treasurer and Twn Manager shall prmptly ntify the Twn Cuncil with respect t each accunt fr which cllectin effrts have ceased. All apprvals and dcumentatin cncerning these matters shall be filed with the Clerk-Treasurer and retained until dispsed f in accrdance with law. Sectin 3.4 Returned Checks and ACH Payments Checks r Autmated Clearing Huse ( ACH ) payments submitted t the Utility that are returned by the bank fr any reasn will be subject t a service charge f $ See Sectin 2.4.5, Bad Check Charge, fr mre infrmatin abut the fees. Page 5 f 7

6 This payment, plus the amunt f the riginal check r ACH payment, must be made within ten (10) days f ntificatin. Remittance must be in the frm f cash, mney rder r certified check. If payment is nt received within ten (10) days, the matter will be frwarded t the Lake Cunty Prsecutr s Office fr further actin. Upn the receipt f a third return item within ne year, the Custmer will be required t make all future payments by cash, mney rder, certified check r credit card. Under n circumstances will a persnal r business check be accepted t avid discnnectin f service r t reinstate service. Sectin 4: Terminatin f Service Sectin 4.1 Terminatin f Service by Custmer The Custmer may initiate terminatin f water service by arranging fr a final meter reading with the Utility. The Custmer will cntinue t be respnsible fr all charges until the final reading is cmpleted. After the final reading is made, the Utility will prvide a final bill fr services rendered. Payment f this bill is subject t the rules, regulatins and prcedures fr regular mnthly bills. If the accunt is delinquent and placed with an attrney fr cllectin, the Custmer is respnsible fr reasnable attrney fees and expenses f cllectin. When final water bills are established and a refund f less than ne dllar ($1.00) exists, that refund will be applied t the Water Cash Operating Fund. Refunds f less than ne dllar ($1.00) must be requested in persn and the refund will be taken frm petty cash. The Custmer must ntify the Utility when vacating his r her premises. A minimum bill will be issued fr billing perids with zer cnsumptin. There will be n abatement r pr-ratin f charges by reasn f the extended absence f the Custmer unless the Utility had been ntified t turn ff the water. The Cnnectin/Recnnectin Charges in Sectin will apply t these situatins. As f September 1, 2010, all water charges will fllw the custmer. If a bill is left unpaid by the Custmer, the Utility may withhld water service at the new lcatin until such bill is paid. See Sectin 6.1 Respnsibility f Prperty r Business Owner fr mre infrmatin. Sectin 4.2 Terminatin f Service by Utility The Utility may initiate terminatin f water service fr reasns utlined in Twn Cde Sec These include, but are nt limited t, unauthrized use, tampering with any service pipe, service stp, meter r meter seal, vacancy f premises, failure t pay any charges in cnnectin with the Utility, failure t prvide access t the premises and meter r vilatin f any Utility rules and regulatins In mst cases, the Utility will prvide written ntice f at least seven days. This ntice will either be delivered certified via U.S. Mail r persnally delivered by Utility emplyees n the premises. This payment must be remitted in the frm f cash, mney rder, certified check r credit card; n persnal r business check will be accepted. In mst cases, the Custmer will have the ptin f an administrative hearing as allwed under Twn Cde Sectin Sectin 5: Billing Adjustments Sectin 5.1 Standard Billing Adjustments Frm time t time, adjustments will need t be made t varius water utility accunts. Utility bills may be adjusted by the Deputy Clerk respnsible fr water billing with the apprval f the Accunting Supervisr in the fllwing situatins. 1. Billing amunts based n inaccurate meter readings, prvided that a new meter reading has been made by apprpriate persnnel 2. Errrs created by the cmputer system 3. Data entry errrs 4. Bills that were mailed n the fifth business day f the mnth r later may have the penalty amunt adjusted All ther adjustments shall be apprved by the Twn Manager. The Utility Billing Accunt Adjustment Frm will be cmpleted fr all adjustments; this dcument is made a part f this plicy. The cmpleted frms shall be filed with the Clerk-Treasurer and retained until dispsed f in accrdance with law. Sectin 5.2 Billing Adjustments due t Leak An adjustment can be made t accunts that have excessive usage due t a water leak under the fllwing circumstances. 1. The leak is repaired 2. Custmer signs an affidavit stating the leak has been repaired 3. Custmer requests an adjustment f the Water Bard 4. The Water Bard apprves the adjustment Only ne adjustment per twelve-mnth perid will be allwed. The adjustment will be based n an average f the usage ver the previus twelve-mnth perid. Page 6 f 7

7 Sectin f this dcument cvers adjustments that will and will nt be made fr Hammnd Sanitary District charges. Sectin 6: Rental Prperties Sectin 6.1 Respnsibility f Prperty r Business Owner As f September 1, 2010, the wner/management cmpany/landlrd r business wner shall be held respnsible fr the required depsits and the water bill fr each prperty wner thrughut Twn. At n time shall the Twn f Munster prvide utility service t a tenant/renter. Sectin 7: Sprinkler Meters Sectin 7.1 General Infrmatin The Custmer has the ptin t install a separate meter fr lawn sprinkling. Custmer is respnsible fr the cst f the meter and its installatin by Utility emplyees if the Custmer chses t have the separate meter. A depsit will be made fr each sprinkler meter in accrdance with Sectin 1 f this dcument. Sectin 7.2 Sprinkler Seasn and Minimum Billing The Utility defines the sprinkler seasn as May 15 thru Octber 15. This time frame includes the bills due July thrugh Nvember. The first bill f the seasn will include any cnsumptin frm the last meter reading f the previus seasn. Sprinkler meters are charged fr water cnsumptin and sales tax as utlined in Sectin 2. Sprinkler meters are subject t the minimum billing amunts utlined in Sectin f this dcument. A minimum bill will be issued each mnth during the sprinkler seasn unless the Custmer has arranged fr the Utility t remve the sprinkler meter. The custmer is still required t meet the requirements f Sectin 7.3- Backflw Testing as utlined in these regulatins. Sectin 7.3 Backflw Testing The Indiana Department f Envirnmental Management has issued backflw testing requirements fr sprinkler systems. The Utility has adpted a plicy in cmpliance with these regulatins. All sprinkler systems must have backflw testing perfrmed n an annual basis with the results given t the Utility. Backflw testing is dne at the Custmer s expense. Page 7 f 7