§ 9.12.140. Collection of service charges
A.
Method of billing. Effective July 1, 2002, the service charge for all sewage shall be billed semiannually in advance.
B.
When due. Service charges are due and payable upon the date of presentment and shall become delinquent 45 days thereafter.
C.
Penalty and interest. Any service charge which is not paid before delinquency shall be subject to a basis penalty of ten percent plus interest at the rate of 1.5 percent per month for each month or portion of a month from the date of delinquency to the date of payment.
D.
Liability for service charge. It is hereby found and determined that the discharge of sewage from premises into the sewage system benefits the owner of such premises and such owner is hereby made liable for the payment of the service charge provided for herein. Upon the request of an owner, service charges shall be billed to the occupants or persons in possession, charge, or control of the premises, provided that such billing procedure shall not affect the owner's liability hereunder.
E.
Collection of service charge.
1.
The city council may direct the city attorney to collect service charges by the use of all appropriate legal remedies.
2.
The city council, by ordinance or resolution adopted by a two-thirds vote of its members may elect to have service charges collected on the tax roll in the same manner, by the same persons and at the same time as, together with and not separately from its general taxes, in accordance with section 5473 of the California Health and Safety Code. The procedure authorized by this subsection shall be an alternative to subsection 1 above.
3.
The collection procedures authorized herein shall not prohibit the city council from adopting such other and further means of collection as may be authorized by the laws of the state.
F.
Charges a lien. Service charges which remain delinquent for a period of 60 days shall constitute a lien against the premises from which the sewage originates. Said lien shall be imposed and shall have the same force, effect and priority as provided for in section 5473.11 of the California Health and Safety Code, provided that in addition to the procedure provided for therein, the city council prior to recordation of notice of lien, shall hold a public hearing for the purpose of imposing said lien and shall give ten days' written notice of its intention to impose the same to each owner of property against which charges are delinquent.
G.
Use of revenue. All funds received from service charges imposed by this chapter shall be used for the operation and maintenance of the sewer system, the replacement thereof and the retirement of any indebtedness arising from the construction of said sewer system and for no other purposes.