(A) Generally. Only rates and rate adjustments for service shall be established by the City Council after not less than one public hearing by City Council. Rates and rate adjustments shall be by resolution. No ordinance amendment is required. A copy of the current Resolution R041723 is incorporated herein by reference as if set out in full herein.
(B) Considerations. In determining the appropriate rate or rate adjustment to be charged by the franchisee, the Council may consider any or all of the following:
(1) The cost of performing the service provided by the franchisee;
(2) The anticipated increase in the cost of providing this service;
(3) The need for equipment replacement and the need for additional equipment to meet service needs; compliance with federal, state, local law, ordinances and regulations or technical change;
(4) The investment of the franchisee and the value of the business and the necessity that the franchisee have a reasonable rate of return;
(5) The rates charged in other cities of similar size for similar service;
(6) The public interest in assuring reasonable rates to enable the franchisee to provide efficient and beneficial service to the residents and other users of the service;
(7) The local wage scales, cost of management facilities and disposal fee or charges;
(8) Any revenues and/or expenses resulting from recycling; and
(9) Other factors which may, in the opinion of the City Council, necessarily affect the rates to be charged.
(C) Periodic rate adjustment. The City Council may, from time to time, after a public hearing, adjust the rates charged by the franchisee by City Council resolution. Upon its adoption, that resolution supersedes and rescinds those provisions of any prior Exhibit A (as adopted) in conflict therewith.
(D) Billing; overdue accounts; collection and late fees. Franchisee may charge a collection charge of a minimum of $1 on billings 30 days overdue, $1.50 on 60 days overdue and $2.50 on 90 days overdue. Where the overdue billing exceeds $100, a collection charge of up to 1.5% of the overdue amount may be charged in lieu of and not in addition to charges otherwise specified in the section. These charges shall be in lieu of any interest to be charged for overdue accounts. Billing may be 60 days in advance. However, any unearned balance shall be refunded to any customer for the days prepaid following the date of any customer’s service termination notice to the franchisee.
(E) Investment. The investment of the franchisee and the value of the business and the necessity that the franchisee have a reasonable rate of return between 12% and 17%.
(Prior Code, § 50.07) (Ord. 1155, passed 6-1-1998; Ord. 1232, passed 5-5-2008; Res. 1786, passed 5-20-2019; Res. R060721, passed 6-7-2021; Res. R041723, passed 4-17-2023)