Title
Consider adopting Ordinance No. 3392 amending the Farmers Branch Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Fee Schedule, relative to fees established pursuant to Chapter 50 "Parks and Recreation," Section 50-41 "Parks and Recreation User Fees," and Chapter 86 "Utilities," Article IV "Service Rates and Billing Procedure," Section 86-276 "Water Service Rates" and Section 86-277 "Sewer Rates," and take appropriate action.
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BACKGROUND:
Ordinance No. 3392 has been prepared to address needed changes to rates and fees associated with water and sewer services. All proposed fees are generally comparable to those charged for similar services in neighboring cities and are necessary to defray the rising costs associated with providing these services.
DISCUSSION:
City Administration has reviewed the City's fees for the Historical Park facility and has determined a need to assess a fee for school tours of the facility of $3.00 per person to help offset staff costs in providing the tour(s). This fee will not be assessed to a school located in Farmers Branch or the Carrollton/Farmers Branch ISD.
City Administration has also reviewed the City's current water and sewer rate structure and has determined that it is not sufficient to address annual operating, capital and reserve requirements. The proposed budget contains a water and sewer rate increase of 9% included in revenue projections, which is necessary to help offset increases by both Dallas Water Utilities and the Trinity River Authority for the contracted purchase of treated water and wastewater disposal, respectively. This rate increase is needed to maintain the financial stability of the Water & Sewer Fund.
The monthly utility bill of an average residential customer with 10,000 gallons of water consumption, considering both the water and sewer rate change, will increase from $88.03 to $95.94 for a change of $7.91 per month.
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommended motion by City Administration that the City Council adopt Ordin...
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