10-12-11 Council Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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For example, if a resident's old meter had a discrepancy of 100,000 gallons, the resident's next utility bill would have a 50,000 - gallon under - registered water charge on it. The account would be monitored for a year. If at the end of the year, the difference between the new meter usage and old meter usage is 60,000 gallons, then the resident would be billed an additional 10,000 gallons of water usage. The first quarter new meter reading would also be compared to the most recent first quarter old meter reading and the difference would be applied to the sewer adjustment as was described above in the 0- 50,000 gallon example. If the new meter usage difference is less than or equal to 50,000 gallons then no further water charges will be billed and only a sewer adjustment (calculated on the same basis as described in the previous example) will be made to the account if it is warranted. If the difference is less than 50,000 gallons a credit will not be issued because the original difference was greater than 50,000 gallons so the resident did use the water and the City was warranted in billing at least 50,000 gallons. Residents will also have one year to pay off the under - registered portion of their bill with no penalty. Also, the same methodology will be applied for when the meter is replaced during the quarter as was used for the 0- 50,000 gallon example. Between zero and 61 days the new meter reading will be prorated and the next hill will have the under - registered water usage charge. If the meter is replaced within the final thirty days of the quarter then the under - registered water will be billed after another quarter of readings. For accounts being reviewed on a one -year basis, there is a chance that the resident will move within that first year. If a move occurs, the City will take the information they have from the new meter and prorate it based on the average quarterly percentage usage listed above. A final bill with under - registered water and sewer adjustment will be generated based on the difference between the prorated readings and the old meter readings. There is likely to be a situation that arises that is not covered by this policy but staff has done its best to cover all of the most likely scenarios. Unique circumstances will have to be dealt with individually. Letter to Residents In all cases listed above, a letter will be sent to each account that has a discrepancy. The letter will inform them of the policy and how much under - registered water they had. It will lay out how they will be billed and what the payment options are. It will also give them the opportunity to have their old meter tested if they believe the meter was not working properly. Meter testing is performed at the public works shop by public works staff and takes about an hour to complete a full test. The resident can choose to observe the test in person if he wishes. An appointment will be scheduled in those cases. The water system ordinance states that the resident shall pay a testing fee established by the City Council prior to the 4