§ 22-27. Policies and procedures for adjustments to water bills.

(1)

A water consumer who has received a water bill when consumption is two (2) times greater than the prior month moving average in thousand gallons shall have the option to contact the respective water department, either by telephone or in person, to register a complaint and file a request for adjustment.

(2)

The water department upon receipt of a customer's request for an adjustment on his water bill shall immediately fill out and date a request for adjustment form [not included in this chapter].

(3)

The water department shall have the individual's water meter rechecked to determine the reason for the excessive bill. The water consumer has the option (right) to be present when meter is to be rechecked, and the water works department will set up a date and time with the customer for said recheck.

(4)

A designated representative of the parish executive shall review the request for adjustment and shall approve same only in accordance with the policies and procedures listed herein.

(5)

The designated representative of the executive shall require, prior to consideration of a request for adjustment to a consumer's bill, that the necessary repairs to that consumer's system be made.

(6)

An adjustment using the formula outlined below may be given if a leak occurs, provided a plumber's statement or signed affidavit explaining the exact location of the leak is provided.

(7)

Upon approval of a request for adjustment, the formula for calculating water adjustments shall be calculated as follows: The historical average consumption, from one month but for no more than twelve months, of the consumer's account shall be determined by starting with the consumption in question and going back for no more than a total of twelve (12) months. This average rounded to the nearest thousand shall be considered the adjusted consumption and a new bill for water and sewerage shall be recalculated using this adjusted consumption. The difference between the average consumption cost and the original bill shall be deducted from the current balance.

(8)

If adjustment request meets the criteria of this section, no additional penalties or fees shall be assessed on said water bill after the date of filing a request for adjustment form.

(9)

The consumer will have the option to pay the adjusted water bill in full or in equal installments over a three-month period, in addition to the consumer's current bill. Failure to pay within three (3) months shall subject the consumer to penalties and interest, plus disconnection of service and charges for reconnection of said services.

(10)

The policies and procedures for adjustment of water bills as outlined above shall be the exclusive and only authority by which the administration shall make water bill adjustments, except clerical errors and erroneous meter readings shall be adjusted by the billing department.

(11)

Any consumer denied a water bill adjustment contradicting the provisions of this section shall have the right to appeal to the parish council for public hearing thereto. After public hearing if it is determined that the policies and procedures as established in this section were not followed, the council by ordinance may authorize an adjustment based on the formula outlined in subsection 7 of this section above.

(12)

No water user shall receive more than two (2) administrative adjustments on a water bill during a one-year period, January 1st through December 31st of each year.

(Ord. No. 93-276, § 1, 12-9-93; Ord. No. 94-63, § 1, 2-24-94; Ord. No. 94-101, § 1, 4-28-94; Ord. No. 94-115, §§ 1, 2, 5-12-94; Ord. No. 96-89, § 10, 6-13-96; Ord. No. 96-91, § 10, 6-13-96; Ord. No. 96-194, § 1, 12-30-96)