(1) Charges shall be due and payable at the office of the city recorder on or before the first day of each month.

(2) Unpaid water system service charges due from users of the water system shall become delinquent 30 days from the date of mailing or delivery of notice thereof and shall be subject to a delinquency charge as established by city council resolution.

(3) If such charges are not paid within 40 days of the due dates thereof, the city, at its option, and after due notice to the user may discontinue water services to the premises served. Water shall not be returned to service until the user pays their account balance in full and pays disconnection and reconnection charges as established by city council resolution. Upon receipt of these payments, the user’s water service will be restored by the city during regular working hours. Written notice of discontinuing water service for nonpayment of charges will be given to the user by regular mail, or by posting a notice on the premises at least 10 days in advance of the shutoff. The notice will state that if the charges are disputed, the water system user may request an informal conference with the mayor or his/her designee to discuss the charges. Such request must be received no later than two days prior to the scheduled shutoff date.

(4) The city may require security (cash) deposits prior to providing, or to continue providing, water service to any user. The amount of the security deposit may not be less than two months minimum billing charges. In lieu of a deposit, the city may accept a signed agreement from the property owner (whether the user or not) stating that they will be ultimately liable for any and all charges for services provided to the premises, and that the city may use a lien as one method for securing payment if the charges are not paid. However, the city may not require a property owner to sign such an agreement. If the property owner elects to authorize the use of a lien on real property to secure payment of charges in lieu of a security deposit, all water charges shall be a lien against the premises served from and after the date of billing. The entry of charges on the city’s ledgers or other records pertaining to its lien shall be made accessible for inspection by anyone interested in ascertaining the amount of such charges against the property. Whenever a bill for services remains unpaid, the lien hereby created may be foreclosed in the manner provided for by ORS 223.505 to 223.650, or in any other manner provided by law or city ordinance. Such lien and delinquent water charges and fees shall draw interest at the rate of eight percent per annum until paid. [Ord. 211 § 17, 1993.]