On Oct. 21 the City Commission approved on second reading a broad update to the city’s water and sewer code that modifies account requirements, deposit rules, leak-and-waste language and billing continuity for properties in default.

City staff told the commission the update would help address chronic delinquency by clarifying who may open accounts, what constitutes proof of ownership (deed or tax-roll evidence), and the city’s ability to increase deposits for accounts with repeated shutoffs due to nonpayment. The code also tightens procedures for notice and permits limited administrative discretion to change advertising-based notice language to digital notification systems.

Commissioner Smith pressed staff for stronger proof-of-ownership language for accounts held by corporations or LLCs and asked that deposits be adjustable when leaks or repeated nonpayment occur. The city attorney and water director said staff would include reasonable proof standards and that deposits could be raised as a remedial measure.

The ordinance passed unanimously at second reading. Commissioners noted staff will harmonize references to public notice to reflect the city’s digital notification practices.

What’s next: Staff will finalize minor scrivener changes and circulate clarifying administrative procedures for account opening, deposit adjustments and notice before the ordinance is codified.