HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0072) M&C 19-0385City of Fort Worth,
Mayor and
DATE: 12/17/19
Texas
Council Communication
LOG NAME: 60METER FEES 2020
SUBJECT
M&C FILE NUMBER: M&C 19-0385
Adopt Ordinance Amending Section 35-39 "Monthly Readings; Customer Charges; Straight Connections", Section 35-56 "Water and Sewer
Rates Within City", Section 35-61 "Deposit Required", and Section 35-63 "Where and When Bills Payable", of Chapter 35 "Water and Sewers" of
the City Code to Revise Certain Water and Wastewater Account and Field Services Fees to be effective on April 1, 2020 (ALL COUNCIL
DISTRICTS)
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the City Council adopt the attached ordinance to revise Amending Section 35-39 "Monthly Readings; Customer Charges;
Straight Connections", Section 35-56 "Water and Sewer Rates Within City", Section 35-61 "Deposit Required", and Section 35-63 "Where and
When Bills Payable", of Chapter 35 "Water and Sewers" of the City Code Sections 35-39, 35-56, 35-61 and 35-63 of Chapter 35 of the City
Code to revise certain water and wastewater account and field services fees to be effective on April 1, 2020.
DISCUSSION:
As part of the MyH2O Program, staff has worked to optimize operations and incorporate the new technology into future state business processes.
In order to execute the future business objectives within the water utility through MyH2O, certain ordinances and fees require updating. Many of the
fees affecting customer account set up, field services, tampering and delinquency have been in place for more than a decade. With the
implementation of advanced metering technology the utility has the opportunity to leverage the data to realize operational efficiencies. For
instance, the new meters will send a notification when they are not communicating, indicating possible damage; when they have been tampered
with, indicating possible unauthorized use; and continuous consumption over time, indicating possible leaks that need to be addressed by the
property owner. To increase the utility's efficiency, truck rolls and staff time can be directed to the priority issues in a timely manner, reducing
unauthorized water use, streamlining workflow and enhancing customer service. The proposed fee changes are designed to recover the actual
costs incurred by the City when providing services in the field such as new meter sets, meter removal, providing access to same day and after
hours services, and the others listed below. Language related to the field collection of fees will be eliminated from the ordinance.
A summary of account related fee changes is below:
Account Services
Current
Proposed
Chanae
New Meter Set
$20.00
$60.00
$40.00
Standard activation
Transfer
$20.00
$20.00
-
Same Day Activiation
Transfer
$10.00+
$25.00+
$15.00
Same Day After Hours
Activation Transfer
$10.00+
$50.00+
$40.00
Other Field Services
First meter
test/investigation per 12-
N/A
N/A
-
months
Additional meter
test/investigation per 12-
0
F$1
$75.00
$60.00
months*
Investigation by
Appointment
N/A
$100.00
$100.00
Meter Replacement by
Request
N/A
Actual Cost
Varies
�Replacement Installation
by Request (<2")
N/A
$60.00
$60.00
placement Installation
FbyRequest (>2")
N/A
Actual Cost
Varies
waived meter fails
�*fees
t
or leak is identified
Tampering/Theft
��
��
Meter Removal
$20.00
$60.00
$40.00
Tampering, damage,
$50.00 +
$150.00+
$100.00+
inactive/unauthorized
estimated
estimated use +
cost of
consumption
use
cost of damage
damage
Delinquency
Late Payment
5o/due past
10% past due
5% peast
Notify Tag
$20.00
N/A I
Disconnect /Lock /
Shutoff
$20.00
$20.00
Broken Lock
$25.00
$25.00
Standard Reactivation
$20.00
$20.00
Same Day Reactivation
$10.00+F7
$25.00+
$15.00
Same Day After Hours
Reactivation
$10.00+
$50.00+
$40.00
Customers will be notified of the proposed changes and implementation timeline beginning in February 2020 to allow for multiple communications
efforts prior to the April 1, 2020 effective date. The 10 percent late fee will be applied to customer bills starting with the April 2020 service period
and will be reflected on their May billing statement.
A Form 1295 is not required because: This M&C does not request approval of a contract with a business entity.
FISCAL INFORMATION / CERTIFICATION:
The Finance Director certifies that the Water Department is responsible for collection of all fees due the City by adoption of the revised
ordinance.
Submitted for City Manager's Office bT. Dana Burghdoff 8018
Originating Business Unit Head: Chris Harder 5020
Additional Information Contact: Chris Harder 5020