Chapter 15 · Utilities

Article 1. General Provisions

Sections 15-101 to 15-109 · 9 sections

15-101 Definition.

For the purposes of this article, utility services shall include water, sewer and residential solid waste (refuse) collection as provided by the City.

(Code 2013; Ord. 1908B; Ord. 1908C)

15-102 Payment of bills.

All utility service bills shall be due and paid at the Office of the City Clerk of Conway Springs, Kansas, City Hall 208 W. Spring, or by mail, P.O. Box 187, Conway Springs, Kansas 67031, or online through the City’s payment module on or before 10th day of the month following the month for which the service was billed, or on such other date as may be specified on the mailed bill. All bills unpaid after the due date shall be considered DELINQUENT and subject to a 10% penalty. All bills not paid within ten days of the due date shall be considered DELINQUENT and subject to DISCONTINUTATION OF SERVICE. Service for delinquent customers shall be discontinued if payment of all charges and penalties is not received according to this Ordinance. Any property or customer with unpaid water service, sewer service, and/or residential solid service fees shall not be entitled to service until all items are paid in full which will include a $50.00 reconnection fee per Ordinance 1641.

(Code 2013; Ord. 1908; Code 2021; Ord. 1908B; Ord. 1908C)

15-103 Delinquent accounts.

Accounts are considered to be delinquent in accordance with Section 15-102. Unless otherwise specified, water, sewer and residential solid waste collection shall be terminated for nonpayment of service fees or charges in accordance with Section 15-104.

(Code 2013; Ord. 1908; Code 2021; Ord. 1908B; Ord. 1908C)

15-104 Delinquent account procedures.

Unless otherwise specified, water utility service, sewer utility service and residential trash collection service shall be terminated for nonpayment of service fees or charges as follows:

(a)Notice: If a utility has not been paid on or before the due date as provided in this article, the City utility billing clerk will provide notification of the delinquency to the delinquent account holder by regular mail at his/her last known address.

(b)Notice Contents. The notice shall state:

(1)Notice of delinquency

(2)Amount due plus delinquency charge

(3)Service will be terminated if the amount due is not paid within ten (10) days of the due date unless that day shall be on a Friday, Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday in which event such notice will give the customer until the close of the next business day on which to pay the charges.

(4)As an exception to service termination, a delinquent account holder may make an agreement with the City Clerk for a payment plan with set terms and conditions as set forth by the City Clerk.

(Code 2013; Ord. 1908; Code 2021; Ord. 1908A; Ord. 1908B; Ord. 1908C)

15-105 Reserved.

(Code 2013; Code 2021)

15-106 Delinquent accounts; refusal of service; termination of service; lien against property.

(a)In the event that any person, except the United States or the state of Kansas, shall fail to pay the fees or charges for such utility services(s), utility service shall be terminated as provided in sections 15-102:104. The governing body may refuse the delivery of utility service(s), as permitted by law, until such time as the fees and charges are paid in full.

(b)In the event that any person, except the United States or the state of Kansas, residing, occupying, using or operating on property to which utility service(s) furnished by the city is not paid, the unpaid fees or charges shall constitute a lien upon the property to which the utilities are furnished. The amount of the unpaid fees or charges shall be certified by the governing body to the county clerk of the county in which the property is located, to be placed upon the tax roll for collection, subject to the same penalties and collected in the same manner as other taxes are collected by law.

(c)The lien, described in subsection (b) of this section, shall not attach to property for unpaid utility fees or charges when the utility service(s) have been contracted for by a tenant and not by the landlord or owner of the property to which the utility service is provided.

(d)If at the time of application for utility service the applicant has an outstanding balance or unpaid fees or charges for utility services provided by the city, the application shall not be accepted until all fees or charges are paid in full.

(e)If utility service is furnished to leased premises on the application and request of the lessor of the premises, then all billings for utilities furnished to such leased premises shall be made directly to the lessor, and the lessor shall be fully liable for the cost of service furnished.

(Code 2013)

15-107 Petty cash fund.

A petty cash fund in the amount of $200 is available for the use of the city utilities department, for the purpose of paying postage, freight, temporary labor, and other emergency expenses, including refund of deposits made to secure payment of accounts.

(Code 2013)

15-108 Same; deposits.

The petty cash fund shall be deposited in the regular depository bank of the city and paid out on the order of the city clerk by check which shall state clearly the purpose for which issued.

(Code 2013)

15-109 Same; vouchers.

Whenever the petty cash fund becomes low or depleted, the city clerk shall prepare vouchers covering expenses as have been paid from the petty cash fund and shall submit such vouchers together with the paid checks to the governing body for review and allowance of the amounts from the regular funds of the utilities. Warrants issued therefor shall be payable to the petty cash fund and shall be deposited therein to restore said petty cash fund to its original amount.

(Code 2013)