A. Purpose. The purpose of this Section is to establish an equitable system of charging new customers for the effect, impact, or burden created whenever they enlarge an existing water service or connect a new water service to the existing wells, storage tanks, pumps, outbuildings, or appurtenances of the City water system. The City recognizes the inherent inequity of requiring existing customers or taxpayers to bear the entire cost of acquiring or building new facilities, or of utilizing excess capacity with existing facilities, in order to meet the needs of such new development. The Council hereby finds and recognizes the relationship between the nature of the uses of property and the impact thereof upon the City water system. The Council also finds that customers who connect to a water main located adjacent to their property receive a direct benefit from such water mains, including fire protection, which benefits are directly proportional to the frontage of the water main along their property. The Council further finds that it is fair and equitable to charge a main connection fee to customers who connect to such mains in order to fund a portion of the cost incurred by the City in installing such mains.
B. Water System Connection Fees. A water system connection fee shall be collected from any person requesting connection to the water system for any new or existing building or structure or for any existing building for which a change in occupancy or use, as defined under the International Building Code, as currently adopted by the City, is made and for which a new or larger water service line is installed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no system connection fee shall be charged for connection of water service solely for fire protection services. Such system connection fee shall be in an amount set from time to time by Resolution of the Council.
C. Water Main Connection Charge. Before connecting to any water main, all persons desiring such connection shall pay a water main connection fee in an amount based upon the estimated costs of connection depending on the length, property characteristics, and needs. If costs exceed the estimate, City shall recover the excess from the customer by billing. Any amounts recovered that exceed the actual cost shall be refunded to customer. All water mains within the City shall be deemed to have been constructed in whole or in part at City expense. (Ord. 2020-624, 5-13-2020)