10/7/1981 - Laserfiche WebLink

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OCT 7 191 Bou 47 pn�731 Although this latter is an extreme case, and is not likely, it is still a possibility. Since the County allows for the individual customer to have his service shut off and not pay any bill, this can likewise result in a theoretical case of a multi-million dollar utility system standing by -:with no revenue coming in. Commissioners Scurlock and tFe Utilities Director have met with Robert Gaskill, William Zeedyk and Ellis Duncan of the Vista Homeowners Association, and the proposed rates meet with their approval with the conditions noted. ALTERNATIVES AND ANALYSIS A graduated scale of minimum bills for different sized meters'-- based C flow capabilities - is a generally accepted method for base or minimum Vero Beach recently went from the method we now use to this method of billing, after they did a rate study :•,hich took over a year to complete. This probably was partly inspired by the same seasonal vacancy problem that is typical of Indian River County. Inasmuch as the agreement with Vista Properties turns over the utility system at no expense to the County and financial records indicate no financial loss at the current rate being charged there, it is proposed that any rate change as suggested -herein will be made effective on the date of start-up of the County Reverse Osmosis water plant. Only then will the operational costs of the enlarged system and water plant,with it's funding requirements, be applicable. Until that time, the County will merely be continuing to operate the Vista water and sewer plants as they are being operated now. Furthermore, this scheduling would allow a budgeting and transition into the proposed rate schedule - which was considered to be fair by the Vista personnel we met with. RECOMMENDATION AND FUNDING We recommend that the Board of Commissioners approve the preparation of an ordinance amendment to include the following: It should be noted that the County's maximum bill cannot be less than $7.10. because of bond requirements. However, a graduated minimum bill based on meter flow is recommended as the best compromise for equitable rates. The following schedule would be fair both to master meter customers and to the County. Meter Size Base Rate Base Minimum 5/8 X 3/4" $ 7.10 2,000 gallons 1" 15.50 4,000 gallons 1'-2" 30.00 8,000 gallons 2" 60.00 20,000 gallons 3" 120.00 35,000 gallons 411 240.00. 70,000 gallons Larger sized meters shall be engineered for fees and minimum allowable according to similar acceptable formulae. Rates above minimum shall stay $1.50 per 1,000 gallons. oAGE 2 cf r 1M_ M