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| Solutions for wastewater rates presented |
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| News - Spring Hill | |||
| Written by Chase Jordan | |||
| Wednesday, 01 July 2009 08:00 | |||
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City officials are working on proposed solutions for water and wastewater utilities. The existing problems discussed with the Spring Hill City Council include: account numbers assigned to meter locations, averaging method to determine sewer fees (winter water use) and fees for new residents. Jonathan Roberts, city administrator, said account numbers are assigned to a meter location and maintains the history for that meter location, not the customer, that account number stays with the meter location. “Therefore, when an existing customer moves from one meter location within the utility to another meter location within the utility, they are considered a new customer and billed as such and charges a wastewater fee equal to the average water use of the Spring Hill system,” Roberts said. For the issue, Roberts suggested using a solution for residents that move from one meter location within the Spring Hill Sewer District to have charges transferred for the remainder of the billing cycle. Another issue involved monthly user charges being based on averages of monthly water usage during the months of January, February and March. “As a result of the lack of corresponding policy allowing any adjustments of the Winter Water Use average, should a contributor realize decreased water use during the remainder of the year, the result is the possibility that a contributor could see months when they are paying for more sewer use than water use,” Roberts said. The solution presented was to create a formal appeal process and a standardized appeal form, which allows a resident to discuss the basis of their appeal. After the appeal is approved, a correction will be made to the bill, and credits will be given. Darrell Beck, council member, asked if there is a process that creates a data base where residents don’t have to communicate with the city. “I find it hard to accept a technical problem about this,” Beck said. “I don’t want to go back to our neighbors and tell them it’s a technical problem because they’re going laugh in my face.” The third existing issue involved the average water usage to determine the sewer fees for new residents. If a resident’s is less than the average of all residents, it results in the new resident paying more for sewer than water use. Roberts proposed a solution involving an appeal and correction process. “This gives you the ability to deal with it and take care of the customer,” said Mayor Mark Squire. Roberts said staff members will look at water rates in the future. Chris Leaton, council member, suggested having water rate information available in a brochure for new residents or available online. In other business at the June 25 meeting: Council members approved a resolution for a time extension for the Old School House Committee. Council members accepted bids for the construction of Aquatic Center street, storm, sanitary sewer and water improvements. A bridge contract with Sycamore Ridge Golf Course was approved by council members.
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