Title
Consider an ordinance amending Chapter 44, Code of Ordinances (2018 Edition), regarding water, sewer, reuse, and stormwater rates and deposit requirements. (First Reading) (Requires Two Readings).
Body
In order for the City to continue to provide reliable, high-quality water, wastewater, reuse water, and stormwater services for our citizens, the City is recommending increasing all of these rates. The City updates each of our rate models approximately every three years to ensure that the City's Utilities are able to collect the necessary revenue required to provide these services. Because of cost increases related to operation requirements as well as capital needs, the City is proposing an increase to the water, wastewater, reuse water, and stormwater rates. For all of the rates, except for the residential stormwater rate, staff is recommending that the rates be increased each year over the next three years. This philosophy allows the City to step-in the increase over several years and not a one-time larger increase causing rate shock for our customers. For the residential stormwater rate, staff is recommending a one-time increase in year one.
If approved by Council, the rates will go into effect for billing periods that start after November 1st of each year.
In addition, the City is recommending amending the ordinance that outlines the deposits required by customers when opening a new utility account or moving a utility account to a new address. This change will provide scenarios where a deposit can be waived. This ordinance change would occur after November 1, 2024.
Cost: N/A
Source of Funds: N/A