The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutIR 8624 INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8624 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council August 5, 2004 #PA-TI, rr , 0 Page 1 of 2 SUBJECT: VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS ON WATER BILLS rata Purpose The purpose of this report is to respond to Council's request for information regarding voluntary contribution programs on water bills. Information was requested from several Tarrant County cities including Haslet, North Richland Hills, Watauga, Keller and Bedford. Each of theses cities currently has a voluntary contribution program in place (see attachment A). Background Following is a brief description of the North Richland Hills voluntary contribution program, which was established by ordinance in 1972. The City of North Richland Hills water bills list a "subtotal due" amount for current charges. A voluntary $1.50 contribution is listed and then added to the current charges amount to arrive at a "total amount due," which includes the voluntary contribution. Example: Subtotal Due $73.27 Voluntary Contribution* $1.50 Total Amount Due $74.77 This amount represents an optional donation for Animal Services, Library and general public improvements. Residents have a choice of paying the "subtotal due" amount for only current charges or the "total amount due," which includes the voluntary $1.50 contribution. A footnote is included on the bill to inform residents that the $1.50 is voluntary (see attachment B). Revenue Analysis The City's Water Department sends billing statements to approximately 181,854 customers per month. Following is the breakdown of commercial versus residential customers: 165,635 Residential customers 16,219 Commercial/industrial 181,854 Total active customers ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8624 To the Mayor and Members of the City Council August 5, 2004 Page 2 of 2 SUBJECT: VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS ON WATER BILLS fats The following table outlines the amounts of revenue that could potentially be generated from a voluntary contribution program at different levels of participation for only residential. It should be noted that implementing a voluntary contribution program would require billing system modifications. Estimated costs for said modifications will be provided as soon as that information becomes available. 165,635 residential - 100% participation 50% participation 30% participation water bills $0.50 $82,817.50 $41,408.75 $24,845.25 $0.75 $124,226.25 $62,113.13 $37,267.88 $1.00 $165,635.00 $82,817.50 $49,690.50 $1.50 $248,452.50 $124,226.25 $74,535.75 Amount Donated Amount Received (per water bill) (per month) Next Steps Staff will schedule a discussion at an upcoming budget work session to seek Council direction on the following questions: • Proceed with an ordinance? • Donation amount? • Include residential and/or commercial accounts? • Which department or program should benefit? • Consider a bill payment assistance program.? • Seek citizen input? Gary City Manager Attachments ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS Attachment A Water Bill Voluntary Donation Programs City Donation Dept. Revenue N.R.H. $1 .50 Library, Animal Shelter, FY 00 — 01 $88,614 Special Events & Arts Watauga $1 .00 Library FY 01 -02 $38,232 Haslet $1 .00 Parks/Rec Not available Keller $1 .00 Parks/Rec, Library Not available Bedford .50 Parks FY 02-03 $52, 016 Pegs i of 1 Account N � Statement City of Choice ACCOUNT INFORMATION P.O.Box 8206119 ACCOUNT: 12345 67 North Rict&nd Hills,TX 76182-0609 SERVICE ADDRESS: 1234 MAIN WATEF° Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8:00&AL to 5:00 pm. (817)427-6200 CYCLE-ROUTE: 1:. Attar Hour Bib information (817)427.8318 SERVICE PERIOD: 10/30!2003 to 11r30/20W Public Works Dept:Monday-Friday 8:00 am.to 5.00 pm. (817)4274M Trinity Waste Servkms:Monday-Friday 7:00 a m.to 8:00 pm. BILLING DATE: 12/23/2003 Saturday 8-00 am.to 2:00 p.m. (817)332.7301 DUE DATE: 01/1212004 —AUTO-501M 76180-RH ewe,ah.raar.,asre METER CONSUMPTION INFORMATION /761806151050/ JOHN Cl SAMPLE M2W Tvoa r„{Irrent Fngxloua C2M—"MD*M 1234 MAIN STREET 98537984 WA 53856 53315 541 NORTH RICHLAND HILLS TX 76180-6151 ACCOUNT ACTIVITY LAST BILL 56.15 TOTAL PAID SINCE LAST BILL .00 YOUR MONTHLY USAGE BALANCE FORWARD 56.15 NEW CHARGES EMM 2= WATER 17.28 SEWER 16.63 GARBAGE 7.09 EPA SURCHARGE 3.00 Iwo DRAINAGE UTILITY FEE 1.14 Y REFUSE SALES TAX .58 TOTAL NEW CHARGES 45.72 AMOUNT DUE 3 0 DEC JNi FEB MR APR MAY At AM 5EP OCr N0V DEC NEW CHARGES DUE BY 01/12/2004 45.72 us Previo Year Conrad Year 13 MONTH HISTORY-WATER PAST DUE AMOUNT 56.15 A past due amount Is subject to immediate termination. The due date only app8' SPECIAL MESSAGE current charges. N the past due amount bas been pfd.please d kwo"rd this mea and the amount when paying total drre. M you have my gwsHwu,please contact. office at(817)421-6200 SUBTOTAL DUE 101.87 .VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION 1.50 TOTAL AMOUNT DUE 103.37 AMOUNT DUE IF PAID AFTER 0111212004 107.88 This amount represents an optional donation for Animal Services,Library and General Public Improvements. Payment PLEASE FOLD ON PERFORATION BEFORE TEARRJG-RETURN BoTIOM PORTION WITH YOUR PAYMENT Y MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO THE CITY OF NORTH RICHLAND HILLS Coupon AMOUNT DUE ACCOUNT INFORMATION SUBTOTAL DUE 101.87 INNE TOTAL AMOUNT DUE 103.37 ACCOUNT: 12345-67800 AMOUNT DUE IF PAID AFTER 01/12/2004 107.88 SERVICE ADDRESS: 1234 MAIN WATER DR CYCLE-ROUTE: 12-34 AMOUNT ENCLOSED SERVICE PERIOD: 10/341213 to 11 130r2 REMIT PAYMENT TO: BILLING DATE: 121=003 DUE DATE: 01/12/2004 JOHN 0 SAMPLE 1234 MAW STREET /7616110920/ NORTH RICHLAND HILLS TX 76180-6151 NORTH RICHLAND HILLS UTILITY BILLING DEPT PO BOX 961002 FORT WORTH TX 76161-1092 000012345000067800000000103370