Explanation
BACKGROUND: The Department of Public Utilities recommends reimbursement to Columbus Board of Education, 440 Taylor Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43203 (account number 58530-1216553) for overpayment of water and sewer charges. The customer has a credit balance of $35,844.72 caused by over-estimated meter readings and a subsequent billing adjustment on consumption from January 06, 2012 to January 14, 2014. The meter is located inside the locked and vacant property and Division of Water personnel were not able to access the meter to obtain actual meter readings. The last inside actual meter reading was taken on November 18, 2011 at which time the meter read 110392. The next actual reading obtained on January 14, 2014 read 111317. The actual water and sewer consumption during that time was 925 CCF. The billings during that same time period had been estimated due to having no access to the meter. The difference between the actual consumption registered on the meter and the estimated billed consumption is 19,447 CCF. After adjusting the consumption charges to what was actually used at the location, the total water and sewer charges were $36,201.04.
After subsequent water and sewer bills, the total refund the customer is entitled to is $35,844.72.
It is requested that this legislation be handled in an emergency manner in order to reimburse the customer at the earliest possible date.
Contract Compliance is not required as this refund is necessary to our customer to whom we have agreed to provide water services.
FISCAL IMPACT: There is no budgetary impact because we are returning a portion of funds the customer paid. Revenues are not significantly impacted by this legislation.
Title
To authorize the Director of Public Utilities to reimburse Columbus Board of Education for overpayment of water and sewer charges; to authorize a revenue reduction transaction of $35,844.72; and to declare an emergency.
Body
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Utilities recommends reimbursement to Columbus Board of Education for overpayment of water and sewer consumption; and
WHEREAS, the adjustment was made after the customer paid for 19,447 CCF of water and sewer consumption when they should have been charged 925 CCF of water and sewer consumption from January 6, 2012 through January 14, 2014; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Utilities, in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to reimburse the Columbus Board of Education for water and sewer charges in order to reimburse them at the earliest possible date, for the immediate preservation of public health, peace, property and safety; now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS
SECTION 1. That the Director of Public Utilities be and is hereby authorized to reimburse Columbus Board of Education, 440 Taylor Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43203 (account number 58530-1216553) for water and sewer charges.
SECTION 2. That a revenue reduction transaction in the total amount of $35,844.72, or as much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized from:
Water Operating Fund 600, Dept. 60-09, $8,354.76
Sewerage System Operating Fund 650, Dept. 60-05, $27,489.96
SECTION 3. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.