(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
CHARGES FOR DEBT SERVICE. Charges levied on users of the sewage treatment system to support the annual debt service obligations of the system.
CITY. The City of Midway, Kentucky.
EXCESSIVE STRENGTH SURCHARGES. Charges levied on users of the sewage treatment system whose contribution contains biological oxygen demand (BOD), suspended solids (SS) or ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) in concentrations which exceed limits specified herein for the pollutants and who are permitted to make these contributions to the system by decision of the Superintendent of the Midway Water and Sewer System.
SEWER SERVICE CHARGES. Charges levied on all users who discharge, cause or permit the discharge of sewage into the public sewage treatment system. SEWER SERVICE CHARGES shall be comprised of a system of user charges, excessive strength surcharges and a system of charges for debt service.
USER CHARGES. Charges levied on users of the sewage system to offset the cost of operations and maintenance of the system, including normal replacement costs.
(B) Sewer rates.
(1) The following schedule of rates shall apply to each user of the sewage treatment system. This schedule includes rates for user charges and rates for debt service charges, each based on the volume of metered or estimated water consumption.
Sewer Rate Schedule (Based on Water Consumption) | |||
Rate Per Month | |||
Water Consumption | User Charge | Debt Service | Combined |
First 1,000 gals/mo. | $1.60 | $9.35 | $10.95 minimum |
All over 1,000 gal. | $5.47 per 1,000 gals. | ||
(Am. Ord. 02-013, passed 6-24-2002; Am. Ord. 2018-10, passed 12-17-2018)
(2) Normal monthly billings for sewer service shall be determined on the basis of each user's metered water consumption and rates provided by division (B)(1) above. It is recognized in the assessment of these charges that not all metered water consumption is returned to the sewers. For the purpose of assessing service charges equitably, the average percentage of metered water consumption returned to the sewer is deemed to be 90%. Where it can be evidenced that the proportion of metered water consumption actually returned to the treatment system by an individual customer is significantly different from 90%, service charges shall be determined on the basis of actual wastewater discharge. In this event, the volume of wastewater discharge shall be determined by using additional water meters to segregate water consumption that is returned to the sewers and/or actual metering of wastewater flows and/or any other procedure agreed upon by the user and Superintendent of the city water and sewer system as a reasonable method.
(3) No reduction in sewage service charges, fees or taxes shall be permitted because of the fact that certain wastes discharged to the sewage works contain less than 300 mg/1 of BOD, 300 mg/1 of SS or 25 mg/1 of NH3-N.
(4) Each user shall be notified, at least annually, in conjunction with a regular bill of the rate and that portion of the total charge which is attributable to operations and maintenance of the sewage system.
(C) Financial management system.
(1) The city shall maintain financial records to accurately account for revenues generated by the treatment system and expenditures for operation and maintenance of the system, including normal replacement costs.
(2) The city shall review not less often than biennially the sewage contribution of users, the total cost of operation and maintenance of the sewage works, debt service obligations and sewer service charges. Based on this review, the city shall revise, when necessary, the schedule of sewer service charges to accomplish the following:
(a) Maintain an equitable distribution of operations and maintenance costs among users of the treatment system; and
(b) Generate sufficient revenues to offset costs associated with the proper operation and maintenance of the sewage system and to meet debt service requirements.
(3) Excessive strength surcharges shall be reviewed at the time of and in conjunction with the review of sewer service charges. Surcharge rates shall be revised where necessary to reflect current treatment and monitoring costs.
(D) Amendments. This chapter shall be amended, as necessary, to comply with federal regulations.
(1997 Code, § 611.0) (Ord. passed 1-7-1980; Ord. 610.1, passed 9-10-1984; Am. Ord. passed 9-1-1986; Am. Ord. 93-011, passed 3-10-1993)