HomeMy WebLinkAbout[06] Public Hearing, Fee Schedule Amendment Council Agenda Item 6
MEETING DATE: October 17, 2016
AGENDA ITEM: Public Hearing: Amend Sewer Rates
SUBMITTED BY: Finance
BOARD/COMMISSION/COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: None
PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION: Council set the 2016 sewer rates on Feb. 1St, 2016 with the
understanding the rates would be reviewed in September 2016 to analyze the funds financial stability.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Carl Brown from GettingGreatRates.com was hired to prepare a comprehensive rate analysis for the
sewer fund. The sewer fund has significant debt payments and proposed upcoming projects to fund
with no reserves available. Council opted to increase sewer rates at a lower rate than recommended by
Carl Brown and then review after a few months of collections. The City has had significant development
activity in 2016. The development brought in sewer connection revenues to compensate the utility fund
and assist in covering current debts.
Sewer Fund:
The sewer fund has done better than would otherwise without the rate increase in February. The new
developments have also helped the fund cover some of the debt payments. Projections to the end of
the year show a cash deficit in the sewer fund of approximately$200,000. GASB and the State Auditors
do not allow a fund to end the year with a cash deficit balance. There is one utility bill to go out yet in
2016 for the September and October usage, billed in November. There is an opportunity for the Council
to increase the sewer usage rate to address the sewer fund cash needs. Staff recommends increasing
the sewer rate to the rate recommended by Mr. Brown ($5.80/1,000 gallons water used); an increase
from $3.65/1,000 gallons water used. With just one bill period left for cash collections in 2016, a
transfer from another fund may also be necessary at the end of the year to cover a smaller cash deficit.
The table below shows the estimated impact increasing the sewer rate for the November utility bill has
on an average single family household and medium commercial user. In addition,the proposed 2017
and possible 2018 rate impacts are also shown as a comparison. The sewer usage rate will not be
recommended to increase on Jan. 1St, 2017. The sewer line charge and water usage rates may be
considered for an increase on the first of the year. The 2017 fee schedule will be reviewed in November
and December. The rates below are for comparison to assist with today's rate increase consideration.
Current 2016 Proposed Nov Proposed 2017 Proposed 2018
Bill 2016 Bill Bill Bill
Avg. Single Family $192.62 $218.42 $226.18 $236.91
Medium Commercial $594.84 $723.84 $743.65 $782.74
The following table shows a comparison of the current utility bill rate and the proposed amended
sewer usage rate as compared to the area cities. The amounts only include water and sewer rates.
Other utility fees were left out since each city charges differently for them.
Proposed
Current 2016 Nov 2016 2016 2016
St.Joseph St.Joseph 2016 Waite 2016 Sauk
Bill Bill St.Cloud Park Sartell Rapids
Avg. Single Family $149.58 $175.38 $132.87 $155.50 $108.23 $112.10
Medium Commercial $568.55 $697.55 $547.19 $879.01 $552.11 $572.96
BUDGET/FISCAL IMPACT: Estimated $46,000
ATTACHMENTS: Request for Council Action—Amend Sewer Rates
Public Hearing Notice
REQUESTED COUNCIL ACTION: Hear public testimony and consider adoption the proposed
revised 2016 sewer rate beginning September 1, 2016 usage.
CITY OF ST.JOSEPH
PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given that the Council will meet at 6:05 pm or shortly thereafter on October 17, 2016 in
the City Hall Council Chambers to consider, and possibly adopt, the proposed 2016 amended sewer usage
fee.
The proposed fee is on file for public inspection at the City Offices, 25 College Ave N and on the city
website: cityofstjoseph.com.
All persons wishing to speak will be heard and oral testimony will be limited to five minutes. Written
testimony should be mailed to City Administrator,PO Box 668, St. Joseph, MN 56374.
Judy Weyrens
Administrator
Publish: October 7, 2016
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