(1) Invoices that are not paid in full within 30 days will incur a penalty known as a “late payment penalty” in an amount as set forth in Chapter 3.35 PMC.

(2) If full payment is not received after 30 days from original billing a second billing will be produced. This billing will reflect the late payment penalty and begin a 30-day extension until a precollection process begins.

(3) Should any portion of an account’s billed balance remain due to the City after 60 days from original billing date, a third and final billing will be produced. This billing will reflect a second late payment penalty and begin a 30-day extension until a precollection process begins.

(4) Bills not paid in full within 90 days of the original bill date will be flagged to turn over to an outside collection agency for followup. A “precollect” notice will be sent informing the customer they have 30 days to either pay in full (including penalties) or dispute the charges, or their account will be turned over to an outside collection agency. Customers will also be notified that once the bill (including penalties) has been turned over for collection then their right to dispute charges is forfeited and the account will not be withdrawn from the outside collection process once it is turned over. A third late payment penalty will be assessed against the account with creation of the precollect notice.

(5) Bills (including penalties) not paid in full within 120 days of the original bill date and which are not in dispute and which are not covered by an installment payment plan will be turned over to an outside collection agency. Accounts turned over to an outside collection agency incur an additional late payment penalty fee by the City at the time of transfer as set forth in Chapter 3.35 PMC.

(6) At any time in this process, should the payments outlined in an installment payment plan not be upheld, the account will revert to precollection status, receive a final notice for full payment (including penalties), and follow the order of events and requirements like every other account in the precollection status. [Ord. 4583 § 1, 2022; Code 1970 § 3.300.050.]