HomeMy WebLinkAboutCHAPTER 27 CHAPTER 27. WATER DEPARTMENT
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Updated 2014 27-1
27. WATER DEPARTMENT
27.01. Control by Public Utility Board. The water system belonging to the city is under
the control and management of the public utility board of the city, and said public utility board
shall have supervision, control, operation and management of the said water system subject
to the provisions of the charter and of this code.
27.02. Superintendent. The public utility board annually shall appoint a superintendent
of the water department and such other employees as may be necessary for the proper
management and operation of said department. It shall prescribe the duties of the
superintendent and employees and fix their compensation, and may require from the
appointees and employees bonds for the faithful performance of their duties, the amount of
such bonds to be fixed by said board.
27.03. Rules. The board shall make and enforce such by laws, rules and regulations
as may be necessary to carry into effect the object and intent of this chapter and the charter
relating to the control, operation and management of public utilities, which by-laws, rules and
regulations shall be entered in a book kept for that purpose, and signed by the president and
secretary of said board, which, when so entered and signed, shall be open at all times for
inspection.
27.04. Water Rates. The board shall fix and maintain the rents and rates for water
furnished by it so that the income derived from such rents and rates shall, so far as possible,
in each fiscal year be sufficient to defray the cost and expense of the operation, maintenance
and extension of the said system, and to maintain a reasonable reserve fund for use at any
time in making repairs and extensions.
27.05. Water Distribution. The board shall regulate the distribution of water in all
places for all purposes where the same shall be required for either public or private use,
except as hereinafter provided. The city shall pay to said board, quarterly, out of the fire
protection fund for hydrant rental, and out of other proper city funds for water for use in public
buildings and places, such reasonable rates as may be fixed by said board, but no higher rate
shall be charged there for than shall be charged to private persons. Said board shall also
restrain and prevent, so far as possible, any and all waste of water, and may, for non-payment
of charges for water or other cause, shut off water or take other action relating thereto that
said board may deem proper and necessary.
CHAPTER 27. WATER DEPARTMENT
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Updated 2014 27-2
27.06. Supplies and Contracts. All acquisitions, contracts, appropriations,
expenditures, and the fixing of any officer's salary or employee's wages, by the board for the
water department are subJect to applicable provisions of the charter.
27.07. Transfers of Funds. The council may transfer money from the general fund to
the public utility fund for the purpose of defraying the expense of any extension, improvement
or enlargement of said system, and shall transfer money from the general fund to the public
utility fund when necessary to pay for the running expenses or repairs of the said system. All
bills against the public utility board incurred in the operation or management of said system
shall be verified by the claimant or his agent. On or before the first day of each calendar
month, such bills shall be audited by said board, and if allowed, shall be transmitted by the
secretary to the city treasurer. The city treasurer shall thereupon draw orders on the city
treasury payable out of the public utility fund for the several amounts. Said orders shall be
signed by the mayor, attested and countersigned by the city treasurer, and a record thereof
kept by the city treasurer as in case of all other city orders.
27.08. Accounting. The secretary of the public utility board shall be the bookkeeper
and collector for the water department. Under the direction of the said board, the secretary
shall collect and pay forthwith into the city treasury all monies collected on account of the
operation and management of the said system. The secretary shall keep a set of books which
shall contain a full and complete statement of the condition and operation of said system, of all
monies received by the board and paid over to the city treasurer; of all payments made for the
account of said system; and of all monies due or owing to said board for any cause whatever,
together with an accurate and detailed account of all the expenses of said board. The
secretary shall also keep an accurate account of all purchases and sales, bills receivable and
bills payable. The secretary shall, on the first day of each calendar month, make a monthly
statement in writing to the council of the conditions and affairs of the water department which
shall be attested by the president of said board and on the first day of April of each year an
annual report shall be made to the council in like manner.
27.09. Approval of Council Required. No extension of water mains for either public or
private use shall be made nor shall any water main or hydrant be permanently removed or
discontinued, by said board without the approval or order of the council.
(222, 7/27/16; 2032, 3/20/79)