Explanation
This ordinance authorizes an increase in water rates effective January 1, 2016 for the Division of Water and to amend Chapter 1105 of the Columbus City Codes, 1959.
The proposed rate configuration for 2015 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%.
Requested adjustments in rates result in a typical inside city residential water rate increase of 4%. When a sewer increase of 3% and a 1% increase in stormwater rates are considered, the overall impact on a typical residential customer in the City of Columbus is 3.31% and for a typical outside city residential customer 3.49%. Outside city customers are not charged stormwater fees.
The Sewer and Water Advisory Board (SWAB) met on October 7, 2015 and after reviewing the Department of Public Utilities projected expenditures for Fiscal Year 2016, recommends to City Council a 4% increase in water rates and no increase to the water capacity charges.
FISCAL IMPACT: These rate increases will generate approximately $5.3 million in additional revenue in Fiscal Year 2016.
Title
To amend various sections of Chapter 1105 of the Columbus City Codes, to enact new water rates and revise meter service fees for the year beginning January 1, 2016, and to repeal the existing Sections being amended.
Body
WHEREAS, it is necessary to establish new water services rates, effective January 1, 2016, for water service provided by the City of Columbus in order to recover the cost of rendering said water services; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, Department of Public Utilities Division of Water requests that a 4% rate increase be applied to water rates for 2016; and
WHEREAS, Section 1105.07 requires meter service fees to be reviewed each year by the Director of Public Utilities, who shall recommend to City...
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