Explanation
STORMWATER - 2012
BACKGROUND:
This ordinance authorizes effective January 1, 2012, a decrease in Stormwater charges per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) from $4.57 to $4.48 per month for a typical Inside City residential customer.
The requested adjustment in rates results in a stormwater rate decrease of 2%. When a water increase of 8% and a sanitary sewer increase of 3% are considered the overall impact on a typical residential customer in the City of Columbus is 4.69%. Outside city customers do not pay stormwater charges.
This stormwater ERU charge is assessed based on each property's measured impervious surface area. Each Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) is based on 2000 sq ft of impervious surface area. Residents are charged at one ERU per residence. All other customers are charged based on measured impervious area divided by 2000 sq ft to determine an ERU equivalent.
The Sewer and Water Advisory Board met on October 12, 2011 and after reviewing the Department of Public Utilities projected expenditures for 2012, recommends to City Council a decrease of 2% in stormwater rates.
FISCAL IMPACT: Though the 2012 rate structure results in a 2% decrease, the Stormwater enterprise fund will generate sufficient revenue to cover costs of the operating and capital budgets, approximately $37 million.
Title
To amend Section 1149 1149.08 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, effective January 1, 2012, to decrease Stormwater fees, and to repeal the existing Section being amended.
Body
WHEREAS, the Sewer and Water Advisory Board met on October 12, 2011 and after reviewing the Department of Public Utilities projected expenditures for 2012, recommends to City Council a decrease of 2% in stormwater rates, and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to decrease the monthly Stormwater charges from $4.57 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) to $4.48 per ERU to accurately match needed revenue to estimated program expenses; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That effective January 1, 2012, Section 1149.08(b) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959, be and is hereby amended to read as follows:
1149.08 Rate Structure
(b)The charge as prescribed in the rate schedule is as follows:
$0.1502 0.1472 per day per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU).
SECTION 2. That existing 1149.08(b) of the Columbus City Codes, 1959 is hereby repealed.
SECTION 3. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.