HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance 44-24RECORD OF ORDINANCES
BARRETT BROTHERS - DAYTON, OHIO Form 6220S
44-24
Ordinance No. Passed ;
AMENDING CHAPTER 51 AND 52
ESTABLISHING USER FEES AND CAPACITY CHARGES
FOR THE SANITARY SEWER AND WATER SYSTEMS
WHEREAS, a financial analysis of the City’s Water and Sewer Funds is conducted annually
as part of the Capital Improvements Program update; and
WHEREAS, the financial analysis is completed to evaluate the water and sewer system rate
structure and projected fund balance in the Water and Sewer Funds; and
WHEREAS, the City’s goal is to maintain water and sewer rate structures which are
adequate to insure the Water and Sewer Funds (Enterprise Funds) are self-supporting,
including the costs of operations, maintenance of the systems, debt service obligations and
necessary capital replacements; and
WHEREAS, based on the current revenues and future expenditures of the water and sewer
funds, it is necessary to amend the fees for the water systems and sanitary sewer user fees
and capacity charges.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED by the Council of the City of Dublin, State of Ohio,
“L_ members of the elected officials concurring:
Section 1.
Section 51.64 of the Codified Ordinances to be amended to read as follows:
(A) The following rate is the charge for sewer service and use and is based on metered
consumption of water for the area of the City served by the City of Columbus:
Rate Per 1,000 Cubic Feet
Effective Date
January 1, 2025 $16.08
(B) The rate above is in addition to the sewer rates charged by the City of Columbus.
(C) The following rate is the charge for sewer service and use for the area of the City
serviced by Delaware County:
Flat Rate Per Month
Effective Date
January 1, 2025 $17.72
(D) The rate above is in addition to the sewer rates charged by the Delaware County.
(E) Fees received from use of the sewer system shall be deposited in the Sewer Fund and
used for the operation and maintenance of the system, including capital improvements and
any related debt service.
Section 2.
Section 52.06(A) of the Codified Ordinances to be amended to read as follows:
(A) — The following rate is the charge for water service and use and is based on metered
consumption of water:
Rate Per 1,000 Cubic Feet
Effective Date
January 1, 2025 $3.31
RECORD OF ORDINANCES
BARRETT BROTHERS - DAYTON, OHIO Form 6220S
44-24 Page 2 Ordinance No. Passed ,
Section 3. EFFECTIVE DATE
This ordinance adopting the schedule of fees and service charges shall take effect on
January 1, 2025.
Passed this day of Movencbur , 2024 MAS,
Mayor - Presiding Officer
ATTEST:
(Sasa (Aut
Clef of Coyncil
To: Members of Dublin City Council
From: Megan O’Callaghan, City Manager
Date: October 29, 2024
Initiated By: Matthew L. Stiffler, Chief Financial Officer/Director of Finance
Paul Hammersmith, Director of Engineering/City Engineer
Jaime Hoffman, Director of Finance Operations
Meghan Murray, Budget Manager
Doug Urbancsik, Financial Analyst
Re: Ordinance 44-24 Amending Chapters 51 and 52 Establishing User Fees and
Capacity Charges for the Sanitary Sewer and Water Systems
Summary
A financial review of the City's Water and Sewer Funds was completed as part of the annual
update of the City's Capital Improvements Program (CIP). The review included financial projections
through 2029 for revenues and costs, capital improvement projects and existing and projected
debt service obligations.
The fee recommendations necessary to support the proposed water and sanitary sewer capital
projects programmed in the 2025-2029 CIP resulted in fees that were significantly higher than
those adopted as part of the 2024-2028 CIP. These projects include the following construction and
improvements of six relief sewers planned in the next five-year period:
• Deer Run Sanitary Sewer System Improvements –
o Riverview Street Relief Sewer
o Avery Road Relief Sewer
o Glick Road Relief Sewer
• Muirfield Village Golf Club Relief Sewer
• North Fork Indian Run Sanitary Sewer System Improvements - Brand Road Relief Sewer
• Sanitary Sewer Extensions - Areas 6A, 6B, 6C and 21
• South Fork Indian Run Sanitary Sewer System Improvements - Post Road Relief Sewer
• Sanitary Sewer Extensions - Area 7
The combined total of those projects (programmed over the next five-year CIP period) is $60.0
million.
To proceed with the 2025-2029 CIP, a final determination on the resolution of funding for these
water and sewer projects will occur in 2025 and be included in the 2026-2030 CIP. Consistent with
those discussions during the CIP, a 1% increase in water user fees and a 6% increase in sewer
user fees would be recommended to support each fund's obligations in future years, which is
consistent with the fees adopted as part of the 2024-2028 CIP.
Office of the City Manager
5555 Perimeter Center • Dublin, OH 43017-1090
Phone: 614-410-4400 • Fax: 614-410-4490 Memo
Memo re. Ordinance No. 44-24 Amending Chapter 51 and 52 User Fees and Capacity Charges for the
Sanitary Sewer and Water Systems
October 29, 2024
Page 2 of 3
The following table displays water and sewer rates since 2013.
Implementation of the recommended user fees for the Columbus Service Area will result in the
following rates per 1,000 cubic feet:
Water * Sewer * Total
Current rate – 2024 $3.28 $15.17 $18.45
2025 change $0.03 (1%) $0.91 (6%) $0.94
New rate – 2025 $3.31 $16.08 $19.39
*These rates are in addition to rates charged by the City of Columbus.
Based on the average Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) of 1,100 cubic feet of water usage per
month, the average quarterly Dublin surcharge costs are estimated as follows:
Water Sewer Total
Current rate – 2024 $10.77 $50.06 $60.83
2025 change $0.11 (1%) $3.00 (6%) $3.11
New rate – 2025 $10.88 $53.06 $63.94
The recommended water and sanitary sewer system user fee adjustments also apply to Delaware
County's service area (Wedgewood Hills, Campden Lakes, and Wedgewood Glen). Delaware
County charges a flat user fee, and the monthly Dublin user charge reflected in the ordinance is
based on an ERU of 1,100 cubic feet of water usage per month and the user fee rates per MCF.
Sewer – Monthly * Sewer – Quarterly *
Current rate – 2024 $16.72 $50.14
2025 change $1.00 (6%) $3.01 (6%)
New rate – 2025 $17.72 $53.15
*These rates are in addition to rates charged by Delaware County.
The rate structures for the water and sanitary sewer systems will continue to be reviewed as part
of the annual CIP process. Based on the need to continually maintain the sanitary sewer lines and
Memo re. Ordinance No. 44-24 Amending Chapter 51 and 52 User Fees and Capacity Charges for the
Sanitary Sewer and Water Systems
October 29, 2024
Page 3 of 3
potential service expansions, future user fees and capacity charges will continue to be evaluated to
determine whether rates should be adjusted.
Sewer Fund
The Sewer Fund currently has debt outstanding for multiple projects in the total principal amount
of $17.0 million. Long-term bonds are currently planned for issuance in the total amount of
approximately $3.7 million (and $55.8 million currently unfunded) over the next five-year period in
conjunction with the approved 2025-2029 Capital Improvements Program.
The proposed debt service for capital projects associated with the sanitary sewer system is much
more intense than the water system over the next five years. It is currently anticipated that
$600,000 in the annual sanitary sewer maintenance program will be expended over the next five-
year period, with sanitary sewer lining and repair costing approximately $1.5 million in that same
period. Additionally, improvements such as those necessary for the four Deer Run Relief Sewers
will incur costs of more than $16.5 million, as well as $41.5 million currently unfunded for the
North Fork and South Fork Indian Run sanitary sewer system improvements.
During the August CIP work session, alternative funding sources for outstanding sanitary sewer
projects were discussed, which currently total $55.8 million. The recommended 6% sewer fee
increase stems from the approved 2024-2028 Capital Improvements Program. Enterprise funds are
intended to be self-supporting and further in-depth policy discussions will be scheduled in 2025 to
discuss additional potential funding sources.
Water Fund
The Water Fund currently has debt outstanding for multiple projects in the total principal amount
of $4.7 million. Long-term bonds are currently planned for issuance in the total amount of
approximately $1.9 million over the next five-year period in conjunction with the approved 2025-
2029 Capital Improvements Program.
It is currently anticipated that $1.9 million in water line replacement will be expended over the
next five-year period, with water tank improvements costing approximately $125,000 in that same
period.
Low-Income Water and Sewer Discount Programs
The City of Columbus Department of Public Utilities offers a 20% discount on water and sewer
consumption charges for qualifying low-income customers. Income requirements are based on
federal poverty standards.
The attached documents provide program details and the application for the low-income program
that must be completed by a customer seeking assistance. Additional information regarding this
program can be found at the following link:
https://www.columbus.gov/utilities/customers/Utility-Discount-Programs/
Recommendation
Staff recommends approval of this Ordinance at the second reading/public hearing on November
18, 2024.
A 20% discount is available on
water and sewer consumption
charges for qualifying low-income
customers. Income requirements
are based on federal poverty stan-
dards; please see details inside.
To apply, please complete and re-
turn the enclosed application with
the proper documentation, or apply
online at columbus.gov/payassist/.
To be eligible for the discount, applicants
must have an active City of Columbus
water or sewer account for their residence
in their name (or spouse's name) and meet
at least one of the following requirements:
1) Household income must be less than
150% of the current U.S. Bureau of Cen-
sus federal poverty level. You must provide
proof of current household income with the
following for all household members over
18:
• Income tax return
• W-2 forms
• Benefit letter from Social Security
• Pension award statement
-OR-
2) Applicant must be currently enrolled in
a qualifing low income program. A current
letter of participation from one of the follow-
ing programs is required:
• Food stamp benefits
• Ohio Medicaid
• Low Income Energy Assistance
• Home Energy Assistance (HEAP)
• Ohio Works First
• Public housing benefits
1) Customers approved for the program
will receive a 20% discount on water and
sewer usage charges.
2) Discount will not include: meter read-
ing, late charges, interest or other asso-
ciated fees.
3) Eligibility must be established annual-
ly. To maintain eligibility, customer must
sign a new application on or before the
date of the previous year’s application.
4) If customer becomes ineligible for
the discount, Customer Service must be
notified as soon as possible, but no later
than 30 days after the ineligibility.
5) Falsifying information or failing to
notify a change in eligibility status may
lead to:
• Termination of water service
• Recovery of past discounts
• Civil and/or criminal sanctions
6) For questions, please contact Cus-
tomer Service at 614-645-8276 Monday
- Friday 7AM - 6PM, email UtilityLead-
Rep@columbus.gov or visit columbus.
gov/utilities/.
Eligibility Requirements General Information
The federal poverty level may be adjusted annually.
Call or check out website for current requirements.
1 $21,146
2 $28,016
3 $32,747
4 $41,363
5 $47,765
6 $53,294
7 $58,437
8 $66,311
9 or more $78,579
Household Size 2022 Maximum Income
Low Income
Water and
Sewer
Discount
Program
2022
ARE YOU 60 OR OLDER? If yes, you may qualify for an additional Senior Discount so please also apply for it.For questions, please contact Customer Service Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at 614-645-8276, emailUtilityLeadRep@columbus.gov or visit www.columbus.gov/utilities/. 2022 WATER AND SEWER DISCOUNT APPLICATION Name:LastFirstMiddleAddress:NumberStreet / RoadApartment #CityStateZip CodePhone: Email Address: ______________________________________________________________Number of people in household: _________Account number (from water bill):_______________________________To be eligible for the low income discount program, applicants must have an active City of Columbus water or sewer account for their residence in their name (or spouse’s name) and must meet at least one of the following requirements:1. You must have a total income of less than 150% of the U.S. Bureau of Census poverty level (see incomelevels on opposite side). You must provide current proof of household income with the following forall household members over 18 (must be dated and include name):• Income Tax Return• W-2 Forms•Benefit Letter from Social Security• Pension Award Statement or2. You must be currently enrolled in a qualifying low income program and provide current letter ofparticipation from one of the following programs (must be dated and include name):•Food Stamp Benefits• Ohio Medicaid• Low Income Energy Assistant (LIHEAP)• Home Energy Assistance (HEAP)• Ohio Works First•Public Housing BenefitsPlease send copies only of the above and this application to: (copies will not be returned)Columbus Department of Public UtilitiesCustomer Service Center910 Dublin RoadColumbus OH 43215Or apply online at columbus.gov/payassist/The information associated with this application has been examined by me, and is, to the best of my knowledge and belief, true, correct and complete.Applicant's signature: _________________________________________________________Date: __________________________Prepared by signature (if different from applicant): _________________________________________