(A) A refuse/garbage collection fee shall be assessed against each resident/owner of real estate or the improvements contained thereon being served by the city refuse/garbage collection service. The city refuse/garbage collection service shall serve each single family residential unit and each duplex located within the city. In addition, the city refuse/garbage collection service shall serve fourplex multi- family residential units. However, refuse/garbage will not be picked up from and no fee will be charged to the following unless the owner or its representative enters into a contract for services with the city as required by this chapter:
(1) Multi-family residential units larger than a fourplex;
(2) A multi-family residential unit which is part of an apartment complex;
(3) Multiple buildings adjacent to each other or within a complex, which are owned by the same person or entity;
(4) Industrial properties.
(B) Limited weekly refuse/garbage collection services may be offered to business properties. The business properties must request such service and must generate no more refuse/garbage than can be contained in three disposal units. The Director of Public Works may implement reasonable rules and regulations concerning the collection of refuse/garbage from commercial properties.
(C) Refuse/garbage collection services may be provided to properties located on private roads. Prior thereto, the Director of Public Works shall secure legal waivers of liability from the owners of the private roads holding the city harmless from any liability for road or property damage caused by the refuse/garbage collection services. The Director of Public Works may develop and implement reasonable rules and regulations concerning the collections.
(D) A refuse/garbage collection fee is hereby established as follows:
(1) For residential refuse/garbage collection, a flat rate amount of $12 per month per unit served. Residential refuse/garbage collection customers qualifying as low income residents shall be assessed a reduced flat rate fee of $6 per month. To qualify as a low income resident, a resident must have an income level no greater than 150% of the federally established poverty guidelines. Residents may qualify for the reduced monthly fee by applying for the reduction through the Office of the City Clerk-Treasurer. Additional disposal units will be charged at an additional $9 per month per unit.
(2) For collection of business patron refuse/garbage, a flat fee of $15 for each disposal unit up to the maximum of three units.
(E) The refuse/garbage collection fee shall be billed and collected by the Valparaiso city utilities in conjunction with the city sanitary sewer and water billing. All refuse/garbage collection fees shall be due upon billing by the Valparaiso city utilities and if not paid within 30 days, shall be subject to a penalty of 10%.
(F) The fees collected pursuant to this section shall be deposited by the City Clerk-Treasurer into the general fund of the city. An amount equivalent to the revenue generated by the net fees collected pursuant to this section shall be allocated, used and appropriated for road maintenance and repair and sidewalk and pathway installation, maintenance, and repair. Funds will be allocated solely and exclusively for road maintenance and repair and sidewalk and pathway installation, maintenance, and repair.
(G) The new refuse/garbage collection fee established by this section shall be in force and effect as of the bills dated October 5, 2012. All prior refuse/garbage collection fees established shall remain in full force and effect until the beginning of the consumption period for the billing date.
(Ord. 22-2005, passed 5-9-05; Am. Ord. 26-2005, passed 5-9-05; Am. Ord. 21-2012, passed 8-27-12)
