HomeMy WebLinkAbout2489 Sewer Rate IncreaseOrdinance No..,%'/c~ ~
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND AMENDING
SECTION 13.04.035, SEWER RATES, OF THE PORT TOWNSEND
MUNICIPAL CODE
WHEREAS, the City of Port Townsend provides municipal wastewater (sewer) service
to the residents of Port Townsend; and
WHEREAS, the City's most recent rate study demonstrates that without an increase in
sewer service rates, the rates will fall below the actual cost of serving City sewer customers; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds it essential that the City's utility rates charged to the
City's sewer customers accurately approximate the cost to deliver sewer service,
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Port Townsend does ordain as
follows'
Section 1. Chapter 13.04, Section 13.04,030, Sewer Rates, of the Port Townsend
Municipal Code is hereby amended and shall be codified by the City's Code Reviser: to read as
follows:
13.04.030 Sewer rates.
The following monthly rates shall be charged by the city and collected by the treasurer for the
use and furnishing of sewerage service, all such rates and charges to be made and paid on a
monthly basis:
A. Single-Unit Residential and Duplex Customers.
1. Average Winter Water Use Categories. For single-unit residences and duplexes,
where each unit receives separately metered water service, each unit shall be charged a base
rate, plus a charge per 1,000 gallons of metered water used, up to a fixed limit based on the
customer's average water use calculated from meter readings actually taken during a four-month
period between October 15th and March 15th, or average winter water use (AWWU). The
AWWU shall be determined on April 1st of each year with the customer's maximum monthly
rate from April 1 st to March 30th of the next year being established by the AWWU. The
AWWU category for determining monthly charges shall be established by averaging the water
meter readings taken during the specified four-month period and rounding them up or down to
the nearest thousand gallon amount.
2. Monthly Rates. The base monthly rate for each metered customer shall be
24.95 per month plus $2.S5 2,44 per 1,000 gallons of water used as established through the
AWWU process. For duplexes with a single water meter, the charge shall be two times the base
rate, plus a charge of $2.S5 2.44 per 1,000 gallons AWWU. Monthly sewer charges where
actual water usage in a particular month is less than the AWWU shall be calculated as a
combination of the base rate plus a charge of $2.35 2.44 per 1,000 gallons of water actually
used, rounded to the nearest thousand gallons. If water meter readings are taken on a bimonthly
basis, an averaging method to calculate monthly billing charges may be utilized. Charges for a
monthly period during which the meter is not actually read shall be calculated by averaging the
prior water consumption for the period during the two months immediately preceding the period
for which a meter reading is not obtained, multiplying that average amount (not to exceed the
AWWU maximum) by the volume charge per thousand gallons and adding that charge to the
base charge. An adjustment for actual usage shall be made in the next monthly billing based on
actual meter readings, if necessary. If the customer does not have a recorded four-month use to
establish the AWWU or where during the four-month period used to calculate the AWWU there
is a circumstance which, in the reasonable judgment of the treasurer, would make the AWWU
calculation erroneous, the charge shall be set at the base rate plus the monthly rate for the
customer's past AWWU, or the AWWU within the customer class, whichever amount is deemed
to most accurately reflect the probable use by the customer. If there is a change in occupancy
during the AWWU determination period for a particular year, the charge shall be set at the base
rate plus the monthly rate for the prior customer's AWWU, or the AWWU within the customer
class, whichever amount is deemed to most accurately reflect the probable use by the customer.
B. Multifamily Customers.
1. Base Charges. For multifamily residences with three or more units, the base monthly
charge shall be based on meter size. The base charge shall be:
Wastewater In City Only
5/8-3/4" meter
1" meter
1-1/4" meter
1-1/2" meter
1-3/4" meter
2" meter
3" meter
4" meter
6" meter
8" meter
$24.95/month
34.95/month
39,95/month
44.95/month
58.65/month
72.40/month
274.55/month
349.45/month
524.15/month
723.85/month
2. Total Charges. The total monthly multifamily charges shall be the base charge plus a
charge of $2.25 2.44 per 1,000 gallons of water actually used, rounded to the nearest thousand
gallon amount, with the maximum per gallon charge capped at 6,000 gallons per unit.
C. Commercial Customers. Commercial accounts shall be charged the same base rate, based
upon meter size, as multifamily customers. However, commercial customers shall be charged an
additional amount of $2.25 2.44 per 1,000 gallons of water used, rounded to the nearest
thousand gallons, with no maximum cap on additional charges, or if a commercial customer
generates high-strength waste or waste with high variability in loadings, charges shall be on a
commodity basis and provided in Chapter 13.06 PTMC.
D. Industrial and Contract Customers. The city may establish rates and charges for industrial
and large user customers that have unique or special use characteristics. The rates and charges
shall be based on existing contract conditions, costs of service, including waste volume and
strength, and such other factors deemed relevant in establishing reasonable rates and services in
the judgment of the director of public works.
E. For all classes of users subject to metered rates, should there be a period during which
meter readings cannot be obtained under a normal reading schedule, volume charges shall be
calculated by averaging the prior consumption for the two months immediately preceding the
period for which a meter reading cannot be obtained. Charges for the next month during which
the actual meter reading is taken shall be adjusted for the difference between the average and the
actual metered volume for the period involved together with the appropriate meter rate. Where
there is a circumstance which, in the reasonable judgment of the treasurer, would make the
volume charge calculation erroneous, the volume charge shall be established under such other
method as the treasurer deems reasonable and fair.
(Ord.~q'l~'~§ I, 1995; Ord. 2434 § 1, 1994; Ord. 2382 § 1, 1993; Ord. 2342 § 1, 1993; Ord.
2302 § 1, 1992; Ord. 2287 § 2, 1992; Ord. 2063 § 1, 1987; Ord. 2055 § 1, 1986; Ord. 2026 §
1, 1986; Ord. 1980 § 2, 1983; Ord. 1942 § 3, 1982; Ord. 1872 § 1, 1980; Ord. 1791 § 1,
1977; Ord. 1657 § 1, 1973; Ord. 1508 § 3, 1967).
Section 2, Severability. If any provision of this ordinance or its application to any
person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance, or the application of the
provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.
This ordinance shall take effect and be in force five days after the date of its publication in
the manner provided by law.
Clise, Mayor
Attest:
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11/29/95
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