(A) Generally. There shall be, and there is established, monthly rates and charges for the sale of natural gas and for the use and service supplied by the natural gas distribution system of the city, based upon the amount of gas consumed as shown by the gas meters.
(B) General service rate.
(1) (a) Facility service charge: $6 per meter per month; and
(b) The facility service charge is a flat charge rendered per meter per month to applicable customers. The charge recognizes fixed cost of natural gas facilities and operation irrespective of flowing gas. The facility service charge shall also contain per-meter-per-month surcharges imposed by any local, state, or federal government having jurisdiction.
(2) (a) Base operating charge: $1.1765 per Mcf; and
(b) The base operating charge of $1.1765 per Mcf replaces the prior base operating rate of $0.60 per Mcf, the current operating expense adjustment of $0.4265 per Mcf and the current transition cost surcharge of $0.15 per Mcf.
(3) The gas charge, base operating charge adjustment, and any surcharge or taxes, when applicable, are to be added to or deducted from the facility service charge and base operating charge of this section; these items are identified as follows.
(a) Gas charge. The foregoing and any other rates shall be adjusted on each billing by adding the total cost of gas purchased divided by the volume billed to the customers. The result shall be known as the gas charge.
(b) Base operating charge adjustment. Any changes in operating expenses (in addition to changes in cost of gas and taxes) shall be passed uniformly and directly to all bills rendered after such determination has been made by the City Council. Changes in the base operating charge shall be limited to changes in operating expenses demonstrable by changes identified in the most current fiscal audit or official budget reports of the city.
(c) Adjustment for tax. The foregoing rates shall be adjusted when necessary to fully reflect any tax or surcharge assessed upon the city municipal gas utility, under the State Gas Revenue Tax Act, being 35 ILCS 615/1 et seq. or any other authority. Customer bills shall be automatically changed to reflect an increase or decrease and the rate of any tax.
(C) Special rates.
(1) The charge for property serviced by the natural gas system of the city which is located outside of the corporate boundaries of the city shall be 15% higher than those applicable to property serviced by the natural gas system which is located within the corporate boundaries of the city.
(2) The City Council shall have the right to establish special rates or contracts for gas service to special industrial or special use service.
(1978 Code, § 13.12.090) (Ord. 588, passed - -1984; Ord. 98-2, passed - -1998)