A. Public safety surcharges shall be collected monthly. Statements for the surcharge shall be included as an additional item on the city monthly water utility billing wherever feasible, unless otherwise specified below.

B. Unless another person responsible has properly agreed in writing to pay, and a copy of that writing is properly filed with the city, the person(s) normally responsible for paying the city’s water utility charges are responsible for paying the public safety surcharge.

C. In the event a developed property is not served by a domestic water meter, or if water service is discontinued, the persons having the right to occupy the property shall pay the public safety surcharge.

D. The connection of a water meter or issuance of a building permit for a change of use will automatically initiate appropriate billing to the responsible party for surcharges under the public safety act. There shall otherwise be no charge for persons who have the right to occupy an undeveloped property until such time as a structure is built and a water meter is connected on that property.

E. The imposition of surcharges shall be calculated on the basis of the number of residential or nonresidential units supported, without regard to the number of water meters serving that property.

F. Late charges shall be assessed to any public safety surcharges not received within 60 days of billing. Late charges shall be assessed on the same terms and conditions as those for delinquent water charges.

G. At those times that a property is not occupied no surcharge shall be assessed.

H. When a tenant or property owner moves out mid-month the public safety surcharge shall be prorated based on the days of occupancy.

I. The obligation to pay the public safety surcharge is personal to the responsible party. The city of Talent will not assess a subsequent owner of a property for uncollected amounts due from a previous owner (or responsible party under a lease or rental agreement), and will not withhold utility services to a subsequent owner. [Ord. 855 § 1 (Exh. A).]