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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10A - Water Bill Rate Increase STAFF AGENDA REPORT MEETING DATE: AGENDA #: PREPARED BY: AGENDA ITEM: JANUARY 3, 2000 lOA RALPH TESCHNER, FINANCE DIRECTOR CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE OO-XX AMENDING PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE SECTION 704.1001 TO INCREASE THE WATER BILLING RATE BY TEN CENTS (10~) FOR EVERY ONE THOUSAND (1,000) GALLONS OF WATER DISCUSSION: Introduction The purpose for this agenda item is to consider increasing the City's water utility billing rate from the current charge of $1.30 per to $1.40 per thousand gallons effective upon the first billing period (2/1/00) in 2000. The present sewer rate of $2.85 per thousand gallons is proposed to remain unchanged. This recommended adjustment would represent an overall rate increase of 2.4%. , History Water rates have remained fairly stable for the past 8 years going back to 1992 when the water and sewer rates were restructured to support actual expenditures within each activity. In fact, if approved, this will actually establish the water rate at the same $1.40 level as in 1984. Outlined below is a water and sewer rate table since 1972: Water Sewer Water Sewer Year ~ Rate* Year Rate* ~ 1972-75 $.60 $.40 1984-91 $1.40 $1.40 1976 $.70 $.50 1992-93 $1.05 $2.10 1977-78 $.70 $.60 1994 $1.05 $2.30 1979 $.80 $.70 1995 $1.05 $2.70 1980 $.90 $.80 1996-98 $1.15 Id $2.85 1981 $1.05 $.95 1999 $1.30 $2.85 1982-83 $1.30 $1.30 2'D D () IOq I ~ 0 * per 1000 gallons. The City Council reviewed the water rate increase proposal during the budget workshop that was conducted on August 19th, 1999 and directed Staff to prepare the proposed 2000 water utility revenues based upon a water utility rate of $1.40 per thousand gallons. 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER T.... -y""'- 11 H:IAGENDAIAOOOI.DOC Current Circumstances Because Prior Lake does not have a sewage treatment plant (our sewage is actually piped to Blue Lake treatment plant located outside of Shakopee) the MCES (Metropolitan Council Environmental Services) controls nearly 68% of our costs and therefore our sewer rates. Since this past fall and early winter has been extremely' dry we have not experienced any significant fluctuations in our sewer flow as a result of inflow and infiltration from ground sources. As a result we do not propose an increase in the sewer rate. An estimated Water Department Statement of Earnings position is projected below based upon a water rate of $1.40/1 000 gals (10 cent increase): * Water Dept. Expenses Budget Expenditures Enterprise Fund Transfer Equipment Fund Transfer $553,300.00 $100,000.00 $25.000.00 $678,300.00 * Water Dept. Revenue Projection Utility Water Receipts Water meter/pressure reducer sales Water connection fees Misc. revenue (incl. penalties, interest etc.) $602,000.00 $48,330.00 $60,000.00 $74.400.00 $784,730.00 * Statement of Earnings Position Preliminary income before depreciation $106,430.00 * Depreciation (Water Only) <$142,000.00> NET LOSS <$35,570.00> The City's water and sewer utility fundis operated as an enterprise fund which is intended to generate revenues to provide contributions to the General Fund to offset administrative and operating costs, revenue for fund transfers, i.e. the Maintenance Building, Equipment Fund and such long term needs as reserves to assist in sewer and water pipe replacement and/or a community water treatment plant. Financial ImlJact When considering the entire water and sewer utility bill, which includes the capital facility charge of $7.50 and the storm water charge of $3.75, homeowners would experience, on average, a 2% rise on their total water bill amount in 2000. The financial impact of the rate increases are demonstrated below: H:IAGENDAIAOOOI.DOC ALTERNATIVES: RECOMMENDED MOTION: 1999 Average Monthly Bill plus misc. CF AC charge plus misc. storm water charge Monthly Total... $37.35 3.75 ill $42.97 2000 Average Monthly Bill plus misc. CF AC charge plus misc: storm water charge Monthly Total... Monthly $ Increase... $38.25 3.75 ill $43.87 $0.90 The above figures are based upon average monthly usage of 9000 gallons which is equal to an approximate daily consumption of 100 gallons per individual and a per capita household of three members. Assuming the above average, the typical homeowner will incur an annual increase of$10.80. Overall the ten cent rate increase will provide the enterprise fund an additional $43,000 in revenue based upon a projected annual usage of 430 million gallons. Also attached is a comparison of various municipalities and their waterrates which was derived from the 1999 AMM License and Fee S\lrvey. Conclusion Staff would recommend approval of the proposed water rate increase of ten cents. The proposed increase is modest and required to maintain the revenue stream required to defray water related costs. 1. A motion and second to approve Ordinance OO-XX Amending Prior Lake Code Section 704.1001 To Increase The Water Billing Rate By Ten Cents (10~) For Every One Thousand (1,000) Gallons Of Water. 2. Amend the water rate to an amount based upon Council' consensus. 3. Take no action at this time and direct the staff to provide additional information. A motion and a second to adopt Ordinance OO-XX Amending Prior Lake Code Section 704.1001 To Increase The Water Billing Rate By Ten Cents (10~) For Every One Thousand (1,000) Gallons Of Water. -,r-----. H:IAGENDAIAOOOI.DOC REVIEWED BY: Attachments: 1. Or'n e oo-xx Amending Prior Lake Code Section 704.1001 To Increase The Water Billing Rate By Ten Cents (10~) For Every One Thousand (1,000) Gallons Of Water. 2. City Water Rate Comparison ORDINANCE OO-XX AN ORDINANCE AMENDING PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE SECTION 704.1001 TO INCREASE THE WATER BILLING RATE BY TEN CENTS (10~) FOR EVERY ONE THOUSAND (1,000) GALLONS OF WATER WHEREAS, the City reviews its sewer and water rate structure on an annual basis; and WHEREAS, the City has determined it is financially necessary to increase the existing water rate to generate sufficient water revenues to offset current operating expenses; and WHEREAS, it is now necessary to increase the billing charge by ten cents (1 O~) per one thousand (1,000) gallons of water. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Prior Lake, Minnesota that: 1. Prior Lake City Code Section 704.1001 is amended to read: Effective on the February 1,2000 billing cycle a billing charge of one dollar forty cents ($1.40) per thousand (1000) gallons of water. Passed and adopted this 3rd day of January, 2000. YES NO Mader Ericson Gundlach Petersen Schenck Mader Ericson Gundlach Petersen Schenck {Seal} City Manager City of Prior Lake 16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245 AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER r 1 ~ CITY WATER RATE COMPARISON (AMM License & Fee Survey) Municipality Golden Valley Roseville Savage New Hope Bloomington Bumsville Chanhassen Robbinsdale Mounds View Crystal Hastings Prior Lake Stillwater Minnetonka Brooklyn Park Fridley Water Rate $1.80 $1.72 $1.65 $1.57 $1.55 $1.54 $1.50 $1.47 $1.45 $1.35 $1.30 $1.30 $1.25 $1.15 $1.10 $1.00 2000 PROPOSED... $1.40 H:\BUDGETIRA TECOMP.DOC