Rules, Regulations and Policies in Accordance with Ordinance 93-A and
its Amendments
BILLING
Billing is prepared on the last day of each month. Charges
for Flat Rate Service shall be billed monthly, in advance, with payment
due and payable by the 15th day of each month. Charges for Metered Water
Service shall be billed monthly and shall be due and payable by the
15th of each month.
PENALTIES
FOR NONPAYMENT
Bills not paid by the 25th of the month shall be deemed delinquent and
shall be subject to a basic penalty of 10% of the delinquent charges.
If charges are delinquent more than 30 days an additional penalty of
1 ½% per month from the payment due date shall be assessed until the
charges are paid in full.
Service will be
shut off on all service connections delinquent for 75 days. On the 15th
day of the third month of a delinquent account, a "48 Hour Notice to
Disconnect Service" will be hung on the door of the delinquent service
address. There is a service charge of $23 for this process. If, after
48 hours, the account balance is still unpaid, the water service is
shut off and a "Service Disconnect" notice is hung on the door. There
is a service charge of $38 for this process. All fees must be paid in
full for the water to be turned back on.
If unable to pay
the balance in its entirety, the customer may sign a "Time Extension
Agreement for Delinquent Charges". This allows a 30-day period for the
balance to be paid in full. If the customer defaults on the agreement,
the water can be turned off immediately.
Delinquent customers
also have the option of signing an "Amortization Agreement for Delinquent
Charges". This option amortizes the delinquent balance over a twelve
(12) month period with interest accrued at 18% per year. The monthly
payment must include the payment for the amortized delinquency and the
amount of the current balance due. If the scheduled payment and/or current
water charges are not paid when due, the balance in full becomes due
and payable immediately. If not paid, the water can be turned off immediately.
Delinquent accounts
can be turned over to The Credit Center for collection if necessary.
The District also has the option of Recording a Lien on the property
for the delinquent assessment.
Delinquent accounts
that have had the water service connection turned off for non-payment
are reported to the Kern County Building Dept. for building code violation.
CUSTOMER
ACCOUNTS
Each customer service address must have an application on file with
the District, along with a copy of the Trust Deed/Grant Deed showing
ownership. There is a $10 transfer fee payable by the new owner for
account setup. .
