(a) The Director of Finance has determined that an annual three percent (3%) increase in water rates is usually necessary to maintain the viability of our water fund. The three percent (3%) annual increase is needed to pay the increasing costs of purchasing water from the City of Cleveland, the labor costs and expenses of the Water Department, and the debt charges on bonds and notes the proceeds of which paid for or will pay for capital improvements to the water system. This increase shall be in addition to any rate adjustments made by the City of Cleveland, Division of Water.
(b) Council for the City of Bedford hereby declares that unless otherwise waived by Council, water rates shall increase annually by the greater of three percent (3%) or the annual percentage change in the Midwest Urban Consumer Price Index as measured from October to October of each calendar year. Said increase shall take effect January 1 of each and every year. This increase shall be in addition to any rate adjustments made by the City of Cleveland, Division of Water.
(c) No later than December 15th of every year, the Director of Finance shall determine the applicable water rates in accordance with the provisions of this section. After the rate is determined and approved by Council, it shall become effective January 1st of the subsequent year.
(d) The new water rate as determined by the Director of Finance shall be kept on file with the Clerk of Council for public inspection.
(e) The minimum monthly water service charge (“base rate”) shall be paid by each and every customer supplied with water by the City of Bedford.
Commencing on January 1, 2024 and continuing through December 31, 2024, City Council is hereby waiving the annual three percent (3%) increase in water rates and is confirming the base rate for customer having meters of the following sizes at the following rates:
2024 Charge | ||
5/8" or 3/4" | meter | $27.61 |
1" | meter | 37.89 |
1-1/4" | meter | 46.05 |
1-1/2" | meter | 56.07 |
2" | meter | 68.20 |
3" | meter | 128.84 |
4" | meter | 189.42 |
6" | meter | 416.72 |
8" | meter | 553.14 |
In addition, each customer supplied with water by the City of Bedford, for water in excess of 300 cubic feet used during each month, as measured by the water meter reading with respect to each such month, shall pay (i) for each cubic foot of the first 100 cubic feet of water in excess of such 300 cubic feet, a charge of four and thirty-three one hundredths cents ($0.0433), and (ii) for each cubic foot of water in excess of such first 100 cubic feet described in the immediately preceding item (i), a charge of six and fifty one-hundredths cents ($0.0650).
(f) Notwithstanding the previous provisions of this section relating to water rates, and as authorized under Section 911.03 of the Codified Code of Ordinances, as amended by Ordinance 060-23, each eligible senior citizen of the City of Bedford supplied with water by the City of Bedford will be charged a base rate of $19.312 for the year 2024.
A. In addition, for water in excess of 300 cubic feet used during each month, as measured by the water meter reading with respect to each such month, (i) for each cubic foot of the first 100 cubic feet of water in excess of such 300 cubic feet, a charge of three and thirty-four one-hundredths cents ($0.0334), and (ii) for each cubic foot of water in excess of such first 100 cubic feet described in the immediately preceding item (i), a charge of five and two one -hundredths cents ($0.0502).