HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 6888 ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTIONS 37-25 AND 37-26
OF CHAPTER 37 OF THE FORT WORTH CITY CODE (1964),
AS A-MENDED, BY REVISING CERTAIN RATES AND CHARGES;
MAKING THIS ORDINANCE CUMULATIVE OF PRIOR ORDI-
NANCES; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES AND PROVISIONS
OF THE FORT WORTH CITY CODE IN CONFLICT HEREWITH;
PROVIDING A SAVINGS CLAUSE; PROVIDING A SEVER-
ABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING A PENALTY AND PROVIDING
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
WORTH, TEXAS:
SECTION 1.
That Section 37-25, Water and Sewer Rates Within the City,
of Chapter 37 of the Fort Worth City Code (1964) , as amended, be
and is hereby amended and, after having been so amended, shall
hereafter read as follows:
" (a) The following schedules of rates per month,
or fraction thereof, shall be the charges to all persons,
as herein defined, for furnishing water to water consumers
and for rendering sanitary sewerage service to premises
located within the city:
"Schedule A.
Rates for water and sewerage service:
Cubic Feet Rate
First 200 or less cu. ft. of water $2. 75 - minimum
per month
For the next 1,800 cu. ft. of water 0.529 - per 100 cubic feet
used per month
For the next 8,000 cu. ft. of water 0.494 - per 100 cubic feet
used per month
For the next 40,000 cu. ft. of water 0.460 - per 100 cubic feet
used per month
For the next 75,000 cu. ft. of water 0.426 - per 100 cubic feet
used per month
For the next 125,000 cu. ft. of water 0.305 - per 100 cubic feet
used per mont
For all in excess of 250,000 cu. ft. 0.241 - per 100 cubic feet
of water used per month
"Schedule B.
Rates for water service only:
Cubic Feet Rate
First 200 or less cu. ft. of water $2.10 - minimum
used per month
For the next 1,800 cu. ft. of 0.36 - per 100 cubic feet
water used per month
For the next 8,000 cu. ft. of 0.35 - per 100 cubic feet
water used per month
For the next 40,000 cu. ft. of 0.33 - per 100 cubic feet
water used per month
For the next 75,000 cu. ft. of 0.315 - per 100 cubic feet
water used per month
For the next 125,000 cu. ft. of 0.215 - per 100 cubic feet
water used per month
For all in excess of 250,000 cu. ft. 0.165 - per 100 cubic feet
of water used per month
"Schedule C.
Rates for sewerage service only:
Cubic Feet Rate
First 200 or less cu. ft. of $1.85 - minimum
water used per month
For the next 1,800 cu. ft. of 0.169 - per 100 cubic feet
water used per month
For the next 8,000 cu. ft. of 0.144 - per 100 cubic feet
water used per month
For the next 40,000 cu. ft. of 0.130 - per 100 cubic feet
water used per month
For the next 75,000 cu. ft. of 0.111 - per 100 cubic feet
water used per month
For the next 125,000 cu. ft. of 0.090 - per 100 cubic feet
water used per month
For all in excess of 250,000 cu. ft. 0.076 - per 100 cubic feet
of water used per month
"The service charges set out in the foregoing
schedules A, B and C are based upon the amount
of water used as measured by meters.
" (b) For each business, commercial or indus-
trial unit to which sanitary sewerage service is
furnished directly or indirectly and whose use of
water is not measured by a meter, the director of
the waterworks is authorized to apply schedule C,
based upon an estimated water use to determine such
monthly charge.
" (c) Charges paid by municipal departments of
the city for water service only shall be at the rates
in effect.
" Charges paid for sewerage service shall be at
the rates in effect.
" (d) The following schedule of rates per month shall
apply for furnishing raw water to consumers located within
the city:
Gallons Rate
First 1,000,000 gallons $0.16 per 1,000 gallons
All over 1,000,000 gallons 0.13 per 1,000 gallons"
SECTION 2.
That Schedule A, Schedule B, and Schedule C of paragraph (a) of
Section 37-26, Connection Charge, of Chapter 37 of the Fort Worth City
Code (1964) , as amended, be and is hereby amended and, after having
been so amended, shall hereafter read as follows:
"Schedule A
Combined Water and Sewer Services
Monthly
Size of Meter Cu. Ft. Allowed Minimum Charge
5/8" x 3/4" 200 $ 2.75
Vt 660 5.20
1-1/2" 1,630 10.30
211 2,660 15.55
3" 6,260 33.30
411 12,730 64.35
611 25,730 124.15
8" 42,480 201.20
10" 55,380 258.70
"Schedule B
Water Service Only
Monthly
Size of Meter Cu. Ft. Allowed Minimum Charge
5/8" x 3/4" 200 $ 2.10
lit 540 3.30
1-1/2" 1,410 6.45
21' 2,500 10.35
31' 6,270 23.55
4" 11,880 42.80
6" 22,030 76.25
8" 35,880 121.95
10" 45,110 152.40
"Schedule C
Sewer Service Only
Monthly
Size of Meter Cu. Ft. Allowed Minimum Charge
5/8" x 3/4" 200 $ 1.85
1" 1,150 3.45
1-1/2" 3,660 7.30
2" and larger 6,480 11.35
SECTION 3.
That this ordinance shall repeal every prior ordinance and
provision of the Fort Worth City Code in conflict herewith but only
insofar as any portion of such prior ordinance or provision shall be
in conflict, and as to all other ordinances or provisions of the Fort
Worth City Code not in direct conflict herewith, this ordinance shall
be and is hereby made cumulative.
SECTION 4.
That all rights or remedies of the City of Fort Worth, Texas, are
expressly saved as to any and all violations of Chapter 37 or of any
amendments thereto, of the Fort Worth City Code (1964) , as amended,
which have accrued at the time of the effective date of this ordinance;
and as to such accrued violations, the Court shall have all of the powers
that existed prior to the effective date of this ordinance.
SECTION 5.
It is hereby declared to be the intention of the City Council that
the sections, paragraphs, sentences, clauses and phrases of this ordinance
are severable, and if any phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section
of this ordinance shall be declared unconstitutional by the valid
judgment or decree of any court of competent jurisdiction, such
unconstitutionality shall not affect any of the remaining phrases,
clauses, sentences, paragraphs and sections of this ordinance,
since the same would have been enacted by the City Council without
the incorporation in this ordinance of any such unconstitutional
phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph or section.
SECTION 6.
That the violation of any provision of this ordinance or of
the Fort Worth City Code relating to water and sewer service shall
be deemed an offense and punishable by a fine not exceeding Two
Hundred Dollars ($200), and each violation thereof, and each day
on which there is a failure to comply with the terms of this ordi-
nance shall be and is hereby declared to be a distinct and separate
offense and punishable as such.
SECTION 7.
That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and
after October 1, 1973, and it is so ordained.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGALITY:
I
City Attorney
Adopted by the City Council August 13, 1973
COMPARISON OF WATER CHART I
AND SANITARY SEWER CHARGES
71500 GALLONS PER MONTH
10.00
9.50
9.00
8.70
8.50
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3
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7.50
7.30
7.00 7.00
6.95
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J 5.00 w 5.00
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TABLE NO. 2
COMBINED WATER AND SEWER SERVICE RATES
Schedule A
Rate Steps Present Proposed
200 cubic feet $ 2.40 $ 2.75 minimum
next 1,800 cubic feet .45 .529 per 100 cubic feet
next 8,000 cubic feet .43 .494 per 100 cubic feet
next 40,000 cubic feet .40 .460 per 100 cubic feet
next 75,000 cubic feet .37 .426 per 100 cubic feet
next 125,000 cubic feet .265 .305 per 100 cubic feet
over 250,000 cubic feet .21 .241 per 100 cubic feet
WATER SERVICE ONLY
Schedule B
Rate Steps Present Proposed
200 cubic feet $ 1.90 $ 2.10 minimum
next 1,800 cubic feet .355 .360 per 100 cubic feet
next 8,000 cubic feet .345 .350 per 100 cubic feet
next 40,000 cubic feet .325 .330 per 100 cubic feet
next 75,000 cubic feet .315 .315 per 100 cubic feet
next 125,000 cubic feet .215 .215 per 100 cubic feet
over 250,000 cubic feet .165 .165 per 100 cubic feet
SEWER SERVICE ONLY
Schedule C
Rate Steps Present Proposed
200 cubic feet $ 1.30 $ 1.85 minimum
next 1,800 cubic feet .105 .169 per 100 cubic feet
next 8,000 cubic feet .085 .144 per 100 cubic feet
next 40,000 cubic feet .075 .130 per 100 cubic feet
next 75,000 cubic feet .055 .111 per 100 cubic feet
next 125,000 cubic feet .050 .090 per 100 cubic feet
over 250,000 cubic feet .045 .076 per 100 cubic feet
TABLE NO. 3
MONTHLY MINIMUM CHARGE
COMBINED WATER AND SEWER SERVICE
Schedule A
Monthly
Size of Meter Cu. Ft. Allowed Minimum Charge
Present Proposed
5/8" x 3/4" 200 $ 2.40 $ 2.75
1" 660 4.50 5.20
1-1/2" 1,630 9.00 10.30
2" 2,660 13.50 15.55
3" 631260 29.00 33.30
4" 12,730 56.00 64.35
6" 25,730 108.00 124.15
8" 42,480 175.00 201.20
logo 55,380 225.00 258.70
WATER SERVICE ONLY
Schedule B
Monthly
Size of Meter Cu. Ft. Allowed Minimum Charge
Present Proposed
5/8" x 3/4" 200 $ 1.90 $ 2.10
1" 540 3.10 3.30
1-1/2" 1,410 6.20 6.45
2" 211500 10.00 10.35
3" 69270 23.00 23.55
4" 119880 42.00 42.80
6" 222030 75.00 76.25
8" 35,880 120.00 121.95
10" 45,110 150.00 152.40
SEWER SERVICE ONLY
Schedule C
Monthly
Size of Meter Cu. Ft. Allowed Minimum Charge
Present Proposed
5/8" x 3/4" 200 $ 1.30 $ 1.85
1" 1,150 2.30 3.45
1-1/2" 3,660 4.60 7.30
2" and larger 6,480 7.00 11.35
t�
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■
City of Fort Worth, Texas
UK Mayor and Council Communication
DATE REFERE CE suEuECT: Changes in Rates for Water PAGE
7/30/73 G-2232 and Sewer Service ion 5
""COCK
The new Rolling Hills Water Treatment Plant has been completed and is
ready to be placed in service. This new plant and the Cedar Creek water
which it will treat provides a totally new water supply of excellent
quality and with capacity to meet the growing needs of the city and its
customer cities. The long range Cedar Creek project was approved by
the voters in 1959 and funds for the new plant were approved in 1965.
The Village Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant has been expanded to 45
million gallons per day and a number of major collector sewers have
been constructed since the last rate increase. While the -enlarged
plant has improved the quality of treatment, the next enlargement will
reduce pollution to a minimum and will permit the abandonment of the
Riverside Plant as approved by the voters in 1970. The increased debt
service and operating and maintenance cost of these capital facilities
plus inflation and reduced revenue this year necessitate an increase in
rates for water and sewer services effective with the October 1973
billings.
Based on the accumulated rainfall, calendar year 1973 is the third
wettest seven months' periods on record. Rainfall for July exceeds
all historical records. The rainfall and temperature during the
summer have a direct effect on water sales. As of July 15, 1973, the
water pumped during the 9;1 month period of this fiscal year was 2.7
billion gallons (13.2%) less than for last fiscal year during the same
period. When the rainfall is scattered throughout the month as it has
been during this spring and summer, ,the financial condition of the
Water and Sewer Operating Fund is seriously impaired.
The water and sewer bond coverage.last fiscal year (ratio of net
revenue to debt service) was 1.64. Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
reduced the bond rating for the Water and Sewer Fund to A-1. This
year, due to the estimated loss of revenue, the bond coverage may drop
to a low of 1.42.
When the last rate increase was approved in 1970 (M&C G-1594) , the
Water Department reported that it anticipated the increase in rates
would be adequate to finance the current level of service of the water
and sewer systems and to provide sufficient bond funds for major con-
struction projects for at least three years, assuming that inflationary
pressure eased during that period. The City has more than met this
commitment when increased inflation is taken into consideration. A
rate increase of 15 percent is proposed effective with the October
1973 billings which should be sufficient to meet requirements of the
Water and Sewer Fund until October 1, 1976. Details of the proposed
application of the 15 percent rate increase are provided in the attached
Tables No. 2 and No. 3.
DATE REFERENCE SUBJECT: Changes in Rates for Water PAGE
NUMBER and Sewer Service 2 5
7/30/73 G-22 k of
Effect on Residential Customers
The residential usage during a normal year will average about 7,500
gallons per month. However, the monthly bills (12.1 percent last year)
of many customers, never exceeded the minimum monthly charge of $2.40.
In addition, last year 50 percent of the residential water and sewer
bills did not exceed the charge for 6,500 gallons.
The 15 percent increase for a residential customer using 7,500 gallons
(1,000 cubic feet) would be from $6.10 to $7.00 (90 cents per month) .
The minimum charge would be increased 35 cents to $2.75 per month.
Percent Water and Sewer Cost Increases
Projections of expenditures and revenues under the existing rate sched-
ule for water and sewer service for the next three years show substan-
tial deficits beginning in 1973-74. Based on the proposed bond sales
to pay for 51 MGD enlargement of the Village Creek Wastewater Treat-
ment Plant, the construction of additional major interceptor sewers
along with an expanded program for reduction of infiltration, and
normal expansion of the water distribution system, the projections on
Table No. 1 show that without the recommended rate increase effective
next .year, revenue coverage will be insufficient.
Since October 1970, there have been substantial increases in the cost
of operating the water and sanitary sewer systems due to inflation.
Some of the materials for which prices have increased are:
Cost Cost . Percent
Item 1970 1973 Increase
Cast Iron Pipe, 6" $ 1.83 $ 2.34 27.9
Corporation Cocks, 3/4" 1.93 2.40 29.5
Meter Couplings, 1" .92 1.16 26.1
Corporation .Stops, 2" 16.40 19.12 16.6
Alum '(100# bag) , ton 60.00 66.25 10.4
Manhole Frames and Covers 25.00 31.50 26.0
Fire Hydrant 167.25 180.00 7.6
Postal rates were increased on May 16, 1971 by an additional 1 cent on
the postal card used for billing purposes. This amounts to a 20 per-
cent increase. The cost of electricity, natural gas, and diesel fuel
have advanced and this department is the City's largest consumer of
these sources of energy.
Salaries for typical personnel positions in the Water Department have
increased as follows:
DATE NUMBER
SUBJECT: Changes in Rates for Water PAGE
MBER
7/30/73 G-2232 and Sewer Service _3 5
Position Salary per Month Percent Increase
1970 1973
Laborer I $ 463 $ 511 12.5
Meter Reader 514 568 10.5
Foreman I 573 632 10.3
Utility Plant Oper. II 680 747 9.9
Clerk 463 531 14.7
Civil Engineer 1039 1099 5.8
Costs of new equipment have also advanced as shown below:
1970 1973 Percent Increase
1/2 Ton Pickup $1,905 $2,435 28
3/4 Ton Pickup 2,246 2,993 33
Compact Car 1,910 2,636 38
10 Yard Dump 10,570 11,912 12
Increased Costs and Quality of Sewage Treatment
The public desire for an improvement of the environment has resulted in
Congress passing the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, Amendments of
1972, which impose many additional controls on stream quality and eff-
luent being discharged into the water courses.
The Texas Water Quality Board has also responded to the apparent wishes
of the people of Texas and regulations of EPA. Fort Worth now chlori-
nates all of the effluent of the treatment plants, which has increased
annual cost of chlorination from $16,700 in 1970 to $63,500 in 1973.
All plant influent must now be treated even though the river is in
flood flow conditions. The sewer collection system is being enlarged
so that during heavy rains the wastewaters will be confined to the
collection system and flow to the plant for treatment. The Texas Water
Quality Board has amended Fort Worth's Waste Discharge Permit effective
in 1975 requiring the plant effluent to be reduced from 20 ppm BOD and
20 ppm Suspended Solids to 10 of each. While this reduction appears
to be small, it represents a relatively large increase in both capital
cost for additional treatment capability and cost of operation and
maintenance.
Rate Adjustments for Customer Cities
The water rates for Fort Worth's customer cities were adjusted for the
five year period beginning October 1972. The Department's revenue pro-
jection from customer cities based on their reported projected needs
has been included in revenue projections. The sanitary sewer rates
for the customer cities will be adjusted effective October 1973 for
the next five year period based on projected cost as outlined in the
contracts. The additional revenue from this source has been estimated
and included in the proposed 1973-74 budget. This adjustment will be
proposed after financial records for 1972-73 are available.
DATE REFERENCE SUBJECT: Changes in Rates for Water PAGE
NUMBER
7/30/73 G-2232 and Sewer Service of
5
Industrial User Surcharge
The surcharge for industrial waste which strength exceeds 300 ppm BOD
and 300 ppm of Suspended Solids was set at 11 cents per pound of BOD
and 7 cents per pound of Suspended Solids on October 27, 1969 (M&C
G-1450) . These charges were established based on the cost of treat-
ment in 1967. Using the Black and Veatch "Report on Industrial Waste
Surcharges" prepared for the City of Fort Worth, and revising the
treatment cost figures to correspond to this year's estimated cost,
the cost per pound of BOD should be advanced from 11 cents to 19 cents
and the cost of a pound of suspended solids should be increased from
7 cents to 10 cents. Revenue from this source is included in the pro-
jected revenue. The surcharge is reduced when an industrial plant
improves the quality of wastes being discharged to the city system.
Such improvements are being made as reflected by the reduction in sur-
charges from $193,000 in 1971 to an estimated $160,000 this year. It
is anticipated that additional improvements will be made in the future.
The new Water Pollution Control Act administered by the Environmental
Protection Agency requires cities that receive grants to adopt regu-
lations for "User Charges and Industrial Cost Recovery". The final
regulations and guidelines have not been approved by EPA and the
schedule for a city to adopt the regulations has not been established.
Revenue from this source can not be estimated at this time. In any
event, these charges are not expected for two or three years and will
not substantially affect the total water and sewer revenues.
Comparison of Proposed Rates with Other Cities
Water and sanitary sewer charges for 1,000 cubic feet (7,500 gallons)
under the proposed rates effective October 1, 1973 have been compared
(Chart No. 1) with similar charges for customers in Dallas, Oklahoma
City, Houston and San Antonio based on the rates they had in effect
July 15, 1973.
Monthly Charge for Water & Sewer
City Service - 1,000 Cubic Feet(7,500 gallons)
Fort Worth $ 7.00
Dallas (2) 7.30
Oklahoma City (1) 8.70
Houston (1) (2) 5.50
San Antonio (1) (2) 4.30
(1) All sewer charges are not financed by the monthly sewer charge.
(2) Charges are net and do not include 10% charge for late payment.
It is noted that the proposed rate is less than the above cities who
have surface water supplies, that is, Dallas and Oklahoma City. The
charges are higher than those cities having substantial ground water
supplies, that is, Houston and San Antonio.
DATE REFERENCE SUBJECT: Changes in Rates for Water PAGE
NUMBER
7/30/73 G-2232 and Sewer Service 5 of 5
Water and Sewer Service Charges
Increased charges are not proposed at this time for various services
rendered, such as, delinquent charges for turning off the water, after
hours "turn-on", transfer of services, and others. Under present
accounting and billing procedures, the revenue from each service
charge is not available. However, under new procedures that are
anticipated to be available next year, the actual revenue totals for
each service rendered will be available. Cost estimates will be made
and appropriate adjustment in the service charges, if needed, will be
proposed.
Effective Date of Proposed Rate Increases
It is proposed that the ordinance increasing the proposed rate schedules
be adopted with the increase effective for the October 1973 billing.
Recommendations
1) It is recommended that an ordinance providing a 15 percent
increase in water and sewer rates be adopted, effective with
the October 1973 billing.
2) It is further recommended that an ordinance be adopted which
increases the industrial waste surcharge from 11 cents per
pound of BOD to 19 cents and 7 cents per pound of suspended
solids to 10 cents effective with the October 1973 billing.
RNL:cmc
Attachments
SUBMITTED BY: SITION BY COUNCIL: UCESCRD BY
,,^ APP O D OTHER (DESCRIBE)
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