A. Applications for the system development charge exemption and adjustment authorized in BMC 15.16.040(A) and (F) shall be made to the director of planning and community development, as provided therein. Applications for all other credits and adjustments provided in BMC 15.16.040 shall be in writing to the finance director or the finance director’s designee and shall be determined in accordance with this section.

B. The burden of proof shall be on the applicant to show that the credit or adjustment sought should be granted.

C. No credit or adjustment shall be applied to billings made more than 30 calendar days prior to the date of the owner’s application for such credit or adjustment.

D. The finance director shall make a determination on the application within 30 calendar days of receiving the application. The finance director may consider, in the director’s discretion, any information submitted by the applicant or the city together with any other relevant information. The finance director’s review may include consultation with other relevant city departments. The finance director shall notify the applicant in writing of the director’s decision.

E. If the finance director grants an adjustment, which reduces the charge for the current billing cycle, the applicant’s account shall be credited the amount overpaid. If the director, or authorized designee, determines that an adjustment should be made which increases the charge due, the charge increase will be effective on the next billing cycle.

F. The director’s determination shall be final unless the applicant appeals that decision to the city’s utility hearing board pursuant to BMC 15.04.120 within 10 business days of the date of the director’s written determination.

G. An applicant shall only be allowed to apply for an adjustment to the hard surface area of a parcel once unless the applicant can demonstrate to the director that the hard surface area on that property has decreased.

H. Nothing herein shall be construed to preclude the city from independently examining any surface and stormwater account. If, upon independent examination, the city determines that a property has been underbilled due to the incorrect application of a credit or adjustment described in BMC 15.16.040, the finance director shall correct the account on a prospective basis only; no backcharge shall issue.

I. This section does not apply to adjustments for utility billing errors, except as provided herein. Adjustments for all other utility billing errors are governed by Chapter 15.04 BMC. [Ord. 2021-04-014 § 3; Ord. 2001-02-007. Formerly 15.16.060].