(1) Billing statements shall be mailed to the address of the owner of the property being served by the utilities, as the address appears in the records of the city utility department. Upon written request of the owner, billing statements may be sent directly to the occupant of the property being served; however, in such cases the owner shall remain liable for payment of the bill, and the property shall remain subject to a lien for delinquent account.

(2) All payments on utility bills shall be applied first to the sewer balance, second to the drainage balance, and third to the water balance. Penalties and other charges are allocated proportionately to each utility.

(3) All utility customers are billed on a bimonthly basis and shall have not less than 30 days to make payment for all fees or charges assessed for such services. Such fees and charges shall be deemed delinquent if not paid in full within 40 days of issuance of the billing by the city.

Such delinquent accounts shall automatically constitute a lien against the property to which the services were rendered. Such a lien, for up to four months of charges, shall encumber the property, and shall be the obligation of the owner of the property, its heirs, successors and assigns, until the same is paid in full. The city may enforce the lien by shutting off water service and locking the water meter until all delinquent and unpaid charges are paid in full. Unless provided elsewhere in this chapter, such premises shall be considered in “shutoff” status and no additional service fees shall accrue. (Ord. 1405 § 1 (Exh. 1), 2015; Ord. 1295 § 2, 2011; Ord. 1189 § 4, 2006; Ord. 1101 § 2, 2000; Ord. 1085 § 2, 1999; Ord. 748 § 1, 1988).