(A) Main charge and connection fee.
(1) (a) Both these cost items are generally applicable to obtaining water service, but are determined separately and independent of one another. The main charge is based on the city’s average construction cost of a six-inch main including intersections, fire hydrants, engineering, inspection and other related expense.
(b) The connection fee is based on the city’s cost of installing a service line and meter from the main to the curb line.
(2) (a) When a main suitable for serving the applicant’s premises is in place at the time of request for service, then the main charge shall be computed by multiplying the footage of the parcel to be served where bypassed by the main by a factor of 50% the current average per foot construction cost of a six-inch main. Tax lot divisions will be determinate as to the footage involved in computing main charges. Both the main charge and the connection fees shall be payable at the time application for service is made. When a main must be extended to serve the applicant’s premises, the main charge shall be computed by multiplying the “front” footage of all parcels of land bypassed by the main (not only the land served) by a factor of 50% the current averaged per foot construction cost of a six-inch main (e.g., an extension from the intersection serving a house on lot A with 50 feet of frontage and a vacant lot B across the street would be assessed on 100 feet or 100% of the averaged cost for said extension.) Tax lot division will be determinate as to the footage involved in computing main charges. Both the main charge and connection fee shall be payable at the time application for service is made.
(b) When such footage amounts to less than 50 feet, the main charge for that service will be computed as if there were 50 feet of frontage.
(c) When property has mains bypassing two or more sides the main charge shall be based on an average of the lot frontage so served.
(d) When a main serves property, but does not completely bypass the parcel, if in the city’s judgment it is a reasonable expectation that the city will at some time be required to extend the main further, then the main charges for service to that property shall be assessable on the total linear footage, as if the main bypassed the entire parcel.
(e) When a main serves property, but does not completely bypass the parcel’s frontage and it is the city’s determination there is no reasonable expectation that the city will be required to extend the main further, then the main charge shall be based on the actual frontal footage of main installed (regardless of size) but in no case shall be less than a 50-foot assessment.
(f) When a main crosses property other than through the public right-of-way, main charges shall be computed the same as a typical in-street extension, i.e., the owner or applicant would pay main charges on 200 feet of frontage for a 100-foot line extension.
(B) Conversion from private line to standard main. Customers converting over from a private line to a standard main shall pay regular main charges and connection fees when the main has been extended at their request; in other instances no charges or fees will be assessed. This privilege for changing over to a standard service at no cost applies only to the connections which exist at the time the main is extended. Any new connection or service, even if to the same parcel of land, will be assessed regular charges and fees.
(C) Reimbursement contract. A person having paid a main charge on property other than his or her own, may enter into a contract with the city to have main charges as collected by the city returned to him or her on a proportional basis when new services connect to the extension; collection and reimbursement is to be made at the rate current at the time of connection. The term of this contract shall be limited to ten years when the amount of the contract is less than $45,000 and may when the contract is excess of that amount be extended, at the discretion of the Council, for a period up to 20 years. The person entering into such an agreement with the city shall be responsible for any escrow or related fees incurred during the term of the contract.
(D) City contract option. Though the city budget be sufficient, if the city is unable to undertake the project at a given point in time due to lack of cash on hand, manpower, equipment, commitment to other projects or for any other cause the city deems reasonable, then the city may at its discretion contract for the work to be done. In this instance the normal charges and fees would apply plus an additional fee may be imposed to cover any cost overage between the regular charges and fees and the actual cost of construction (inclusive of all related costs) of that specific job.
(E) Main charge assessed once. Any property having paid a main charge after the date of this subchapter shall not be so assessed again at a later date. In instances such as a new subdivision where the city would generally have had no financial involvement in serving the premises therein, the city would make no charge, but rather the cost of the water facilities installed would be reflected in the purchase price of a lot.
(F) Dollar assessment by resolution. Actual dollar amounts for main charges and connection fees shall be set from time to time by resolution. A yearly review is required each January.
(G) Other financing allowed. There is no intent by these regulations to preclude the L.I.D. (Local Improvement District) option or any private arrangement made between individuals.
(Ord. 415, passed 3-12-2012)