(1) The current solid waste disposal fee is $18.25 per month including the fuel surcharge of $0.25. This fee may be increased by council resolution from time to time as the need arises to provide adequate revenue to pay for solid waste disposal costs but said fee shall not increase above $25.00 per household without action by the council to amend these fees by resolution.

Before increasing the fee by resolution the council shall give written notice of their intent to increase the fee by publication once and at least 10 days prior to the meeting at which the action to increase the fees will be taken up and conduct a public hearing.

(2) Payment of Bills and Termination of Water Service. All fees shall be due and payable under the same terms and conditions provided for payment for water service, and the city may proceed to discontinue water service on delinquent accounts as provided in IGCC 13.05.280 and 13.05.300 or the city may proceed under subsection (3) or (5) of this section.

(3) Lien for Nonpayment. Fees remaining unpaid and delinquent for a period of 60 days shall constitute a lien upon the premises served and shall be certified by the clerk to the county auditor for collection in the same manner as property taxes.

(4) Rental Property. Landlords renting single residential real property whose tenants are separately metered and billed for water may give written notice to the city that the tenant is responsible for garbage fees. The notice shall be accompanied by the amount of one month’s garbage fees as a deposit. The landlord shall also request to be notified if the tenant is delinquent on his or her garbage fees. Delinquent garbage fees on such rental property shall not become a lien upon the premises until the garbage fee deposit has first been exhausted.

(5) Civil Action. The city may elect to file an action in the District Court of Iowa in and for Ida County (Magistrate Division) to collect delinquent fees charged under this section.

(6) Tree and Compost Removal Fee. The city has and will continue to incur expenses for the composting and disposal of trees, tree trimmings, branches, stumps, brush, weeds, leaves, grass shubbery and yard trimmings from within the corporate city limits. The city council recognizes that said process is a general obligation of the community, and a fee shall be established to cover said costs. All residential dwellings within the corporate city limits shall pay a $0.75 fee to compensate for said expenses. Such fee shall be collected in monthly utility billing performed by the city. [Ord. 538, 2012; Ord. 532 § 1, 2011; Ord. 514 § 1, 2007; Ord. 502 § 1, 2005; Ord. 497 § 3, 2004; Ord. 479, 2000; Ord. 467 § 3, 1998; Ord. 442 § 6, 1994; Ord. 424-A § 2, 1992; Code 1975 § 3-4.0214.]