For the purpose of paying the expense of conducting, managing and operating the city utilities, including, by way of example and not by way of limitation, water, sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and electricity service, the city shall, as a condition of supply, charge against and collect from all consumers both public and private, including the various and several city departments and institutions, a charge for utility service rendered. Such rates of charge shall be fixed by ordinance of council. It shall be made in an equitable manner and in such amount as will fully cover the cost of service, including utility debt obligations and interest thereon.

(Amended 11-5-74; renumbered 11-3-98; Ord. No. 1747-2014, 7-21-2014)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1747-2014, adopted June 21, 2014, amended the title of § 118 to read as set out herein. Previously § 118 was titled water rates and charges.

In determining the cost of utility service to be so charged and collected, council shall be governed by the following general rule: All utility consumers, as stated in the preceding section, shall be charged with and shall pay the current cost of maintenance, operation and supply, interest and principal on outstanding utility debt obligations, and losses sustained by depreciation.

(Renumbered 11-3-98; Ord. No. 1747-2014, 7-21-2014)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1747-2014, adopted June 21, 2014, amended the title of § 119 to read as set out herein. Previously § 119 was titled [determining water rate.]

The city shall, out of the revenues of the city utilities, unless another funding source is determined by the mayor and the city auditor, with approval of council, cause to be paid or transferred to a utility debt obligation bond retirement fund of the city a sufficient amount of money to pay the interest and principal on outstanding utility debt obligations as they mature.

(Amended 11-5-74; renumbered 11-3-98; Ord. No. 1747-2014, 7-21-2014; Ord. No. 2200-2022, 7-25-2022)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1747-2014, adopted June 21, 2014, amended the title of § 120 to read as set out herein. Previously § 120 was titled interest on water bonds.

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1747-2014, adopted July 21, 2014, repealed § 121 in its entirety. Former § 121 pertained to [depreciation fund] and was derived from Original Charter, as renumbered 11-3-98.

Council may by ordinance relieve from the payment of bills, or any portion thereof, for utility service, any not-for-profit institutions that support disadvantaged persons, which institutions are within the city's limits, and which are not maintained by general taxation. The bills from which said parties are relieved shall be promptly paid out of the general revenue fund of the city to the department providing the utility.

(Renumbered 11-3-98; Ord. No. 1747-2014, 7-21-2014)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1747-2014, adopted June 21, 2014, amended the title of § 122 to read as set out herein. Previously § 122 was titled [exemption from water bills.]

In conducting, managing and operating the city utilities, the city shall prescribe such rules and regulations as the just interests of the city and utility consumers may demand.

(Amended 11-5-74; renumbered and amended 11-3-98; Ord. No. 1747-2014, 7-21-2014)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 1747-2014, adopted June 21, 2014, amended the title of § 123 to read as set out herein. Previously § 123 was titled cash deposits on water.

The general rules prescribed herein governing the sale and disposition of utilities shall apply as far as practicable in the sale and disposition of the service of all other public utility plants owned and operated by the city, except that as to any such service furnished in competition with a privately owned plant, the rate shall be such as in the opinion of council tends best to develop and increase the business, to increase the load factor and to promote in other ways the general success of such utilities.

(Adopted 8-14-17; renumbered 11-3-98; Ord. No. 1747-2014, 7-21-2014)