title
UTILITY SERVICE CHARGES (B)
Ordinance No. 0-09-12
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING APPENDIX A, SECTION UTILITIES (3) WATER, OF THE GAINESVILLE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY INCREASING THE REFUNDABLE DEPOSITS, THE INSTALLATION AND REMOVAL FEE, AND THE MONTHLY BASE CHARGE FOR TEMPORARY SERVICE ON WATER METERS AND FIRE HYDRANTS; PROVIDING FOR TIME LIMITS; PROVIDING LANGUAGE FOR DAMAGE AND TAMPERING CHARGES; PROVIDING A REPEALING CLAUSE; PROVIDING DIRECTIONS TO THE CODIFIER; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND, PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SCHEDULE PROVIDED HEREIN.
recommendation
The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance.
explanation
Currently, the deposits required and monthly fees charges for use of temporary hydrant meters (for water use on construction sites, primarily) do not recover the full cost of the meter if not returned or the cost of installation and removal of the meters by GRU personnel. With the low charges in place, there is no incentive on the part of the customer using the meter to return the meter when construction is complete or to transfer the meter to a regular residential or commercial service, which may be at a higher rate for use. Costs not recovered by those using these services are being passed on to all ratepayers.
Staff is proposing revising the deposit, monthly service charge and usage charge for temporary hydrant meters to recover costs appropriately. Staff has performed a study of charges by peer utilities and the recommended changes leave GRU at the low end of the scale when compared to others.
Finally, staff is proposing language to provide for fees for damage and tampering to temporary meters.
The rate changes will be applied to services rendered after 12:01 A.M., June 1, 2009.