[Amended by Ord. No. 84-20; 9-20-2016 by Ord. No.
16-17; 7-5-2022 by Ord. No. 22-63]
Any charge levied pursuant to this chapter which is not paid
shall be collected and taxed and shall be a lien upon the property
served in the same manner as water rates are taxed and collected.
This is pursuant to § 66.0809, Wis. Stats. On October 15
each year, notices shall be given to the owner or occupant of all
lots or parcels of real estate to which the sewer service has been
provided and said notice shall inform the recipient of the payment
for which is owing and in arrears at the time of giving such notice.
The City Water Systems Manager or his or her delegate shall furnish
the Watertown City Clerk with a list of all such lots or parcels of
real estate, and the notice shall be given by the Water Systems Manager
or his or her delegate. Such notice shall be in writing and shall
state the amount of such arrears, including any penalty assessed pursuant
to this chapter; that unless the same is paid by November 1, thereafter,
a penalty of 10% of the amount of such arrears will be added thereto;
and thereafter, the same will be levied as tax against the lot or
parcel of real estate to which the sewer service was furnished and
for which payment is delinquent as above specified. Such notice shall
be served according to Wis. Stats. No later than November 16, the
Water Systems Manager or his or her delegate shall certify and file
with the City Clerk a list of all lots or parcels of real estate,
giving the legal description thereof, to the owners or occupants of
which notice or arrears in payment were given as above specified and
which arrears still remain unpaid, and stating the amount of such
arrears together with the added penalty, shall thereupon become a
lien on the lot or parcel of real estate to which the sewer service
was furnished and payment for which is delinquent and the Clerk shall
insert the same as a tax against such lot or parcel of real estate.
All proceedings in relation to the collection of general property
taxes and to the return and sale of property for delinquent taxes
shall apply to said tax if the same is not paid within the time required
by law for payment of taxes on real estate.
Any charges levied pursuant to this chapter, and which have
been properly sent to the occupant or owner and not paid, may be recovered
in a civil action by the City in any court of competent jurisdiction.
The City reserves the right to amend this chapter in part or
in whole whenever it may deem necessary, but only after due notice
and hearing, as provided by law.
