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**** Staff is anticipating that we will encounter a few residents that will <br /> either object to connecting to their phone line, or will not allow <br /> wires to be installed in a finished basement, where the phone service <br /> and the water service are not in the same room. In the event that this <br /> happens, the resident will have the option of paying the difference <br /> between a MIU (phone read box) , and a MXU (radio read box) . This <br /> amount is approximately $25 . Additionally, since the Phone Read system <br /> in the most efficient means of reading the meters, a $15 reading <br /> charge will be included with the choice to install Radio Read. The <br /> City is expected to have a small radio route, due to the fact that <br /> many businesses may have electronic phone systems, that will not allow <br /> a meter interface . <br /> **** One other anticipated problem is possible, and that is, if the <br /> resident will not allow an installer to enter the premises to install <br /> the new meter. Staff recommends that an additional $50 per quarter <br /> billing charge, be - - - -to have full participation in this system, and not allow any meter not <br /> to be read automatically. It is already known that there are residents <br /> that have not allowed any meter readers, including full time staff to <br /> read and inspect their meters . If this situation does occur, and the <br /> resident does not pay the additional charge, this situation will be <br /> treated in the same manner as nonpayment of the utility bill . At that <br /> time, a notice will be sent out informing the property that the water <br /> service will be terminated, until such time as the billing charge is <br /> paid in full . It is hoped that this charge will open the door to <br /> installing the new phone read meter system. <br /> Option #3 Do Nothing <br /> ********************************************* <br /> It should also be noted that while a meter charge will be necessary to fund <br /> Option #1, that charge will not recoup the entire cost of replacing the <br /> meter. The WAC Fund will participate in the funding. Another bit of <br /> information regarding the water rates was pointed out at the meeting. The <br /> Council has elected to operate the water and wastewater budgets as close <br /> to a break even basis as possible, trying their best not to overburden the <br /> residents. A graph of the rate structure from 1984 is attached for <br /> Council' s review. For a five (5) year period, 1984 through 1988, water <br /> rates increased a mere five cents ($. 05) . Rates have increased five cents <br /> ($ . 05) per year since 1989 . Part of these increases are required for <br /> payment of bonds issued for the new treatment plant, tower, revisions to <br /> two (2) plants, and a crossing of TH 10 . Staff believes it should also be <br /> noted that not every resident has paid a Water Access Charge (WAC) . This <br /> policy was initiated in 1985, thus there are many residents that never paid <br /> this charge. Should every property have paid this fee, it is possible there <br /> would be sufficient funding in the WAC account to pay for this changeout . <br /> ********************************************** <br />