Explanation
This ordinance authorizes an increase in water rates effective January 1, 2024 for the Division of Water and amends Chapter 1105 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959.
Requested adjustments in rates result in a typical inside city residential water rate increase of 5%. When a sewer increase of 5% and a 1% increase in stormwater rates are considered, the overall impact on a typical residential customer's bill in the City of Columbus is 4.72%, and for a typical outside city residential customer, the overall bill impact is 5.0%. Low Income Discount participant's overall bill impact is 4.67%. Outside city customers are not charged stormwater fees. Considering the 2024 rates increases for water, sewer, and storm combined -- based on an average residential customer with water use of 17 ccf's per quarter, City of Columbus residents are estimated to see their total bill increase $10.16 per quarter, or $40.65 per year. City of Columbus residents with a household of four or more with water use of 30 ccf's per quarter are estimated to see their total bill increase $15.91 per quarter, or $63.62 per year.
The Sewer and Water Advisory Board (SWAB) met on October 18, 2023, and after reviewing the Department of Public Utilities' projected expenditures for Fiscal Year 2024, recommends to City Council a 5% increase in water rates and no increase to the water capacity charges.
The proposed rate configuration for 2024 recognizes that water and sewer charges disproportionately affect lower income groups. The Department of Public Utilities will continue the Low Income Discount Program that discounts participant's sewer commodity portion of their quarterly bill by 20%.
FISCAL IMPACT: These rate increases will generate approximately $9.6 million in additional revenue in Fiscal Year 2024. Combined with rate increases for Sewer and Stormwater, the overall impact to a City of Columbus' residents bill will be between 4.72% and 4.82%, depending on usage.
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