Explanation
BACKGROUND: This ordinance authorizes the Director of Columbus Water and Power to pay operating license fees for the Department's three water treatment plants within the Water Operating Fund.
In 1993, the State of Ohio passed House Bill 152, which requires the Division of Water to pay operating license fees for its three water treatment plants (Hap Cremean, Parsons Avenue, and Dublin Road). This fee is based upon the number of service connections and as of December 31, 2025 we had 287,233 service connections and the fee is based on a charge of $0.76/connection. This is the 33rd year for this payment. The fee is payable to the Treasurer, State of Ohio, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency by December 31, 2026.
FISCAL IMPACT: The Division of Water allocated no more than $220,000.00 for this payment in the 2026 Water Operating Fund Budget.
$216,303.60 was expended for this purpose in 2025
$215,343.72 was expended for this purpose in 2024
Title
To authorize the Director of Columbus Water and Power to pay operating license fees for the City's three water treatment plants to the Treasurer, State of Ohio, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for the Division of Water; to authorize the expenditure of $220,000.00 or as much thereof as may be needed from the Water Operating Fund. ($220,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the State of Ohio passed House Bill 152 in 1993 requiring the Division of Water to pay operating license fees for three water treatment plants; and
WHEREAS, this fee is based upon the number of service connections. This is the 34th year for this payment and the current number of service connections is 287,233. This fee is payable to the Treasurer, State of Ohio, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency; and
WHEREAS, this ordinance authorizes the expenditure of $220,000.00 or as much thereof as may be needed for the payment of this fee; and
WHEREAS, it has become necessary in the usual daily operation of Columbus Water and Power to authorize the Director to make payment of State of Ohio operating fees to the State of Ohio EPA on or before December 31, 2026; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Director of Columbus Water and Power be and is hereby authorized to pay operating license fees to the Treasurer, State of Ohio, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency on or before December 31, 2026 for the Division of Water's three water treatment plants.
SECTION 2. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $220,000.00 or as much thereof as may be needed is hereby authorized in Fund 6000 (Water Operating) object class 03 Services per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. That this Ordinance shall take effect and be in force from and after the earliest period allowed by law.