A. The collection of the charges shall be under the direction, supervision and control of the finance director.

B. Collection of charges for single-family dwelling units, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes and other dwelling units receiving residential service shall be submitted by the finance director to the Kern County auditor-controller and tax collector, and to such other county officers as may be required, for placement of such charges as assessments on the secured roll of the county and he or she shall request that the tax collector each year collect and enforce the assessments in the same manner as ad valorem property taxes. With respect to all other charges (including commercial and multifamily discarded materials bin accounts), the finance director may require billings to be paid up to three months in advance; provided, that the first monthly charges shall be prorated.

C. The finance director may make refunds of advance payments on the same pro rata basis if requested in writing in affidavit form by the depositor within three months from the date of any termination of an account, otherwise no refund shall be made. Adjustments for any increase or decrease of service shall otherwise be made only on a monthly basis.

D. All charges set by the city council for discarded materials services or otherwise imposed in this chapter are due and payable on the first day of the month and become delinquent after the last day of the month. Interest at the rate of one percent per month shall be added to any delinquency. Should the city resort to court action to collect amounts due, the city shall be entitled also to collect its reasonable costs, including attorneys’ fees. (Ord. 5076 § 6, 2022; Ord. 4892 § 1, 2017; Ord. 4672 § 1, 2012; Ord. 4630 § 1, 2010; Ord. 4595 § 1, 2009; Ord. 3939 § 4, 1999; Ord. 3679 § 1, 1995; Ord. 3605 § 1, 1994)