§ 32-40. Meter reading, billing, collections.

(a)

Meters will be read and bills rendered as follows: quarterly, on or about the first day of March, June, September, and December; but the town reserves the right to vary the dates or length of period covered, temporarily or permanently, if necessary or desirable. The quarterly usage shall be divided by three and the monthly bill shall be computed.

(b)

Bills for water will be figured in accordance with the town's published rate schedule then in effect and will be based on the amount consumed for the period covered by the meter readings.

(c)

Charge for service commences when meter is installed, whether used or not. Sixty days may be allowed for hooking on initial installation of the water system. The property owner shall be charged a minimum fee of which a minimum fee is set from time to time, and a schedule of such fees is on file in the town clerk's office.

(d)

Readings from different meters will not be combined for billing, irrespective of the fact that the meters may be for the same or different premises, or for the same or different consumers, or for the same or different services.

(e)

Bills are due when rendered and become delinquent 30 days thereafter, whereupon a penalty of ten percent will be added, and if not paid within 40 days service, may be discontinued by the town.

(f)

Failure to receive bills or notices shall not prevent bills from becoming delinquent or relieve the consumer from payment.

(Code 1979, § 5-1019; Code 1990, § 19-47; Ord. of 10-10-1990)

State law reference

Municipal authority to fix and enforce rates, G.S. 160A-314.