Title
Consider adopting Ordinance No. 3594 amending the Farmers Branch Code of Ordinances, Appendix A - Fee Schedule relative to fees for Application and Service Rates and Billing Procedure, "Water Service Rates and Sewer Rates;" Application Plat Fees; and take appropriate action
Body
BACKGROUND:
Ordinance No. 3594 has been prepared to consolidate all of the proposed changes to Appendix A for FY 19/20: new and adjusted fees. The only fee adjustment not included is the change to the municipal drainage utility charges since the state requires a public hearing process before they can be adjusted; this fee will be brought before Council on October 9th. 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. Please note that the costs associated with water purchased from Dallas Water Utilities are 75% fixed and sewer treatment costs from the Trinity River Authority are 100% fixed - whether or not Farmers Branch uses a single drop of water.
DISCUSSION:
Water & Sewer
City Administration has 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 5%. These adjustments are included in revenue projections and are necessary to help offset increases by the Trinity River Authority for wastewater disposal, to maintain the financial stability of the Water & Sewer Fund, and to improve the City's sanitary sewer system. The monthly utility bill of an average residential customer with 6,000 gallons of water consumption, considering both the water and sewer rate change, will increase from $77.59 to $81.50 for a change of $3.91 per month.
Plats
Clarifying language is needed in Chapter 74 to ensure amended plan and minor plat are accurately captured in the fee schedule. Ordin...
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