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1998-6 AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 38 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA (1988) BY AMENDING SECTION 38-94(a) THEREOF, PERTAINING TO DISCONTINUING WATER SERVICE FOR FAILURE TO PAY AND OTHER REMEDIES. BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia: 1. That Section 38-93(a) of the Code of the City of Portsmouth, Virginia (1988) be amended and reordained to read as follows: Sec. 38-94. Discontinuing service for failure to pay and other remedies. (a) If a bill rendered pursuant to section 38-93 is not paid within fifteen (15) days from the due date set forth on the bill, services to the premises may be discontinued without further notice, and in addition any and all past due bills, charges and interest thereon may be recovered by the city by action at law or suit in equity, and shall, in those cases where, the unpaid bill or charge was incurred by the owner of the premises and not a tenant, constitute a lien against the property, ranking on a parity with liens for unpaid real estate. Additionally, the city may recover its administrative costs and reasonable attorney's or collection agency's fees associated with any collection action at law or suit in equity, which costs and fees shall not exceed 20% of the delinquent bill, charges and interest thereon. Such administrative costs shall be in addition to all penalties and interest, and shall not exceed $20.00 for utility bills collected subsequent to the filing of a warrant or other appropriate legal document but prior to judgment, and $25.00 for utility bills collected subsequent to judgment. Attorney's fees shall be added only if such delinquency is collected by action at law or suit in equity. Nothing in this ordinance shall preclude the city's use of the office and the powers of the City Treasurer in the collection of unpaid utility bills. 2. That this ordinance shall take effect on the date of its adoption.