AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE BASTROP CITY CODE CHAPTER 13, UTILITIES, ARTICLE 13.02, CONCERNING WATER AND WASTEWATER RATES/CHARGES AND BULK WATER SALES RATES; AMENDING APPENDIX A, FEE SCHEDULE, ARTICLE A13.02.001 WATER AND WASTEWATER RATES AND CHARGES; REPEALING CONFLICTING PROVISIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR VIOLATIONS; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, as a result of recent study and evaluation undertaken by the City of Bastrop, Texas, the City Council has determined that aging water and wastewater infrastructure exists in some areas of the Bastrop community, located generally within the central portions of the City, needs to be updated and/or replaced, in order to increase service reliability as well as improve the appearance and taste or water provided to the public, thereby; and
WHEREAS, as a result of recent analysis, the City has determined that there is a potential for overloading both the existing City water and wastewater facilities, due to increased demands resulting from population growth within the City and due to the needs of the community; and
WHEREAS, the City has determined that the water and sewer rates that are currently in place, as well as those that have been in place in the past, have not kept pace with the escalating costs of funding necessary, routine water and wastewater infrastructure and facility replacements; and
WHEREAS, projected City growth indicates a near-future need for construction and installation of potentially significant new water and wastewater facilities, which need is reflected and discussed in detail in the "City of Bastrop, Texas 2007 Proposed Five-Year Water and Wastewater Capital Improvements Plan Summary Report" ("Capital Improvements Program") prepared by K*Friese and Associates (dated October 9, 2007); and
WHEREAS, in the development of the Capital Improvements Program, City Staff, K*Friese and Associates and Rimrock Consulting Company reviewed all pertinent information and concluded that the current water and wastewater rate structure will not produce adequate revenues to fund normal operating expenses, plus renovation and growth-related capital improvements to the City's existing water and wastewater infrastructure and facilities; and
WHEREAS, a multi-year program to finance improvements has been developed by City Staff and professional consultants with the objectives of providing for the health and safety of Bastrop citizens and providing for the orderly and equitable funding of utility improvements which are necessary for the provision of utility services to the citizens of Bastrop;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BASTROP, TEXAS:
PART 1: That Article 13.02, "Water and Wastewater Rates and Charges", Section 13.02.002(a) and (b), shall read as follows:
ARTICLE 13.02 WATER AND WASTEWATER RATES AND CHARGES
Sec. 13.02.002 Wastewater Service Charge
- Applicability of Wastewater Service Charges. The rates as provided for in the feeschedule found in Appendix A of this Code are applicable to residential, multi-family and commercial retail wastewater customers within the corporate limits of the City of Bastrop. These rates are not applicable to customers which receive water from the City of Bastrop but have septic system(s), other on-site wastewater/sewer systems, or irrigation system(s) and are not connected to the City's wastewater system. These rates also do not apply to irrigation-only water meters, which are not connected to the City's wastewater system.
i.Customer Charge. Each active wastewater customer of the City shall have a monthly wastewater customer charge regardless of whether water is received during any specific billing cycle.
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- Method of Computing Average Monthly Water Use.
1. Wastewater bills for residential and commercial wastewater customers shall becomputed on the basis of the average monthly water usage ("winter water average" December, January and February) for the bills due and payable in January, February and March of each year. In the event that the monthly water usage for any month during the period of March through November, inclusively, is less than the computed "winter water average", the lesser of the two shall be used as the basis for calculation of the wastewater bill. The winter water average shall be recomputed following the March billing of each year to reestablish the winter water average for the next twelve month period.
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(i) If a customer can show that an anomalous condition beyond the control of the customer results in the current annual average consumption being at least fifty thousand (50,000) gallons per year greater than the average of the year immediately preceding, the City Manager or designee is authorized to adjust the monthly charge to a fair and equitable amount.
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| 2. Wastewater bills for multi-family customers (those with more than two residentialdwelling units served by a single water meter) will be computed on the basis of a monthly minimum wastewater charge per unit, plus the consumption charge for the "winter water average" for all usage for the meter. |
3. Charges based on average monthly use will be billed each month throughout the year, at the then-current rate.
4. When residential accounts do not have an established history of winter water use, charges shall be billed on the current month's water usage or seven thousand (7,000) gallons per month, whichever is less, until such time as a complete three (3) month history of winter water use is established, at which time the customer will be charged as set forth in paragraph b(1), above.
5. Where accounts other than residential do not have an established history of
winter water use, charges shall be based on the actual monthly water use, until such time as an acceptable history of winter water use is established, at which time the customer will be charged as in b(1), above.
c.No changes necessary at this time.
PART 2: That Article 13.02, "Water and Wastewater Rates and Charges", Section 13.02.004 shall read as follows:
Section 13.02.004 Water Service Charges
(a) Inside City Limits. The rates as provided for in the fee schedule found in Appendix A of
this Code will be applicable to all sales or service of water within the corporate limits of the City of Bastrop.
(b) Outside City Limits. The rates as provided for in the fee schedule found in Appendix A of this Code will be applicable to all sales or service of water outside the corporate limits of the City of Bastrop.
(c) Customer Charge. Each active water customer of the City shall be charged a monthly water customer charge, regardless of whether water is received during any specific billing cycle.
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(d) Multi-family Residential Charges. Water bills for multi-family customers (those with morethan two residential dwelling units served by a single water meter) will be computed on the basis of a monthly minimum water charge per unit, plus the consumption charge for all water usage for the meter.
PART 3: That Appendix A of the Code, entitled Fee Schedule, Article A13.02 Water and Wastewater Rates and Charges, Section A13.02.002 shall read as follows:
Sec. A13.02.002 Wastewater Service Charges
These rates are applicable to all residential, multi-family and commercial retail wastewater customers within the corporate limits of the City of Bastrop who have metered water connections and to whom City of Bastrop wastewater service has actually been connected, except for customers who have a City approved, on-site sewer system, septic system or other on-site wastewater system, and have not connected to the City's wastewater system, or customers who have a water meter for irrigation use only, as long as the irrigation meter does not provide water to plumbing fixtures.
Minimum Charge: $17.50
Plus the following charges for consumption per 1,000 gallons:
| 0-5,000 gallons |
$1.58 |
5,001-10,000 gallons |
$1.79 |
10,001-20,000 gallons |
$1.92 |
20,001-50,000 gallons |
$2.05 |
Over 50,000 gallons |
$2.24 |
(a) Intention to Increase Rates in Future Years in Order to Fund Critical Needs.
In order to meet critical needs of the City's wastewater system, it is the City's intention to increase these rates, by separate ordinances, by not less than 10.5% each year, starting in January 2009, and increasing each succeeding January until January 2012, consistent with the recommendations of the City's staff, K* Friese and Associates and Rimrock consulting. The intended future rate increases are as follows:
January 2009 — Minimum and volume charges not less than 10.5% higher than
those shown above for 2008;
January 2010 — Minimum and volume charges not less than 10.5% higher than
those adopted in January 2009;
January 2011 — Minimum and volume charges not less than 10.5% higher than
those adopted in January 2010; and
January 2012 — Minimum and volume charges not less than 10.5% higher than
those adopted in January 2011.
PART 4: That Appendix A of the Code, entitled Fee Schedule, Article A.13.02 Water and Wastewater Rates and Charges, Section A.13.02.004 shall read as follows:
Sec. A.13.02.004 Water Service Charges
These rates will be applicable to all sales or service of water within the corporate limits of the City of Bastrop.
(a)Residential - In City Limits. |
|
Meter Size |
Minimum Charge |
3/4" (or smaller) |
$18.00 |
| 1" |
$30.60 |
1-1/2" |
$51.60 |
| 2" |
$76.80 |
| 3" |
$144.00 |
| 4" |
$165.60 |
6" |
$429.60 |
| Plus the following charges for consumption per 1,000 gallons: |
0-3,000 gallons |
$1.85 |
3,001-5,000 gallons |
$1.97 |
5,001-10,000 gallons |
$2.09 |
10,001-20,000 gallons |
$2.21 |
20,001-50,000 gallons |
$2.39 |
Over 50,000 gallons |
$2.51 |
(b)Commercial - In City Limits. |
|
Meter Size
|
Minimum Charge
|
3/4" (or smaller)
|
$18.00
|
1"
|
$30.60
|
1-1/2"
|
$51.60
|
2"
|
$76.80
|
3"
|
$144.00
|
4"
|
$165.60
|
6"
|
$429.60
|
Plus the following charges for consumption per 1,000 gallons: |
0-3,000 gallons |
$1.85 |
3,001-5,000 gallons |
$1.97 |
5,001-10,000 gallons |
$2.09 |
10,001-20,000 gallons |
$2.21 |
20,001-50,000 gallons |
$2.39 |
Over 50,000 gallons |
$2.51 |
(c)Residential and Commercial - Outside City Limits. |
|
|
Meter Size |
Minimum Charge |
3/4" (or smaller) |
$27.00 |
| 1" |
$45.90 |
1-1/2" |
$77.40 |
| 2" |
$115.20 |
| 3" |
$216.00 |
| 4" |
$329.40 |
6" |
$644.40 |
Plus the following charges for consumption per 1,000 gallons: |
0-3,000 gallons |
$2.69 |
3,001-5,000 gallons |
$2.87 |
5,001-10,000 gallons |
$3.05 |
10,001-20,000 gallons |
$3.23 |
20,001-50,000 gallons |
$3.50 |
Over 50,000 gallons |
$3.68 |
(d) Intention to Increase Rates in Future Years in Order to Fund Critical Needs.
In order to meet critical needs of the City's water system, it is the City's intention to increase these rates, by separate ordinances, by not less than 10.5% each year, starting in January 2009, and increasing each succeeding January until January 2012, consistent with the recommendations of the City's commissioned study, "City of Bastrop Financial Capacity for Water and Sewer System Improvements", by Rimrock Consulting Company, October, 2007. The intended future rate increases are as follows:
January 2009 — Minimum and volume charges not less than 10.5% higher than
those shown above for 2008;
January 2010 — Minimum and volume charges not less than 10.5% higher than
those adopted in January 2009;
January 2011 — Minimum and volume charges not less than 10.5% higher than
those adopted in January 2010; and
January 2012 - Minimum and volume charges not less than 10.5% higher than
those adopted in January 2011.
PART 5: That Appendix A of the Code, entitled Fee Schedule, Article A.13.02 Water and Wastewater Rates and Charges, Section A.12.02.001 shall read as follows:
Sec. A.13.02.001 Wastewater Treatment Plant Septic Unloading Fees
| GALLONS |
RATES |
0 |
- |
1,000 |
$42.00 |
1,001 |
- |
1,500 |
$63.00 |
1,501 |
- |
2,000 |
$84.00 |
2,001 |
- |
2,500 |
$105.00 |
2,501 |
- |
3,000 |
$126.00 |
3,001 |
- |
3,500 |
$147.00 |
3,501 |
- |
4,000 |
$168.00 |
4,001 |
- |
4,500 |
$189.00 |
4,501 |
- |
5,000 |
$210.00 |
5,001 |
- |
5,500 |
$231.00 |
5,501 |
- |
6,000 |
$252.00 |
6,001 |
- |
6,500 |
$273.00 |
6,501 |
- |
7,000 |
$294.00 |
7,001 |
- |
7,500 |
$315.00 |
7,501 |
- |
8,000 |
$336.00 |
8,001 |
- |
8,500 |
$357.00 |
8,501 |
- |
9,000 |
$378.00 |
9,001 |
- |
9,500 |
$399.00 |
9,501 |
- |
10,000 |
$420.00 |
(a) Intention to Increase Rates in Future Years in Order to Fund Critical Needs.
In order to meet critical needs of the City's wastewater system, it is the City's intention to increase these rates, by separate ordinances, by not less than 10.5% each year, starting in January 2009, and increasing each succeeding January until January 2012, consistent with the recommendations of the City's commissioned study, "City of Bastrop Financial Capacity for Water and Sewer System Improvements", by Rimrock Consulting Company, October, 2007. The intended future rate schedules increases are as follows:
January 2009 - Charges not less than 10.5% higher than those shown above for
2008;
January 2010 —Charges not less than 10.5% higher than those adopted in
January 2009;
January 2011 — Charges not less than 10.5% higher than those adopted in
January 2010; and
January 2012 — Charges not less than 10.5% higher than those adopted in
January 2011.
PART 6: That all other Code provisions, Ordinances, or City requirements in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.
PART 7: That the provisions of the City Code regarding severability apply to this ordinance.
PART 8: This Ordinance shall take effect upon the date of final passage noted below, or when all applicable hearing and publication requirements, if any, are satisfied in accordance with the City's Charter, Code of Ordinances, and the laws of State of Texas.
READ AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE BASTROP CITY COUNCIL ON THE 22nd DAY OF JANUARY 2008.
READ AND APPROVED BY THE BASTROP CITY COUNCIL ON THE 12th DAY OF FEBRUARY 2008.
APPROVED:
By: Tom Scott
Mayor
ATTEST:
Teresa Valdez
City Secretary
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