Ordinance 64-22
To: Members of Dublin City Council
From: Megan O’Callaghan, City Manager
Date: November 1, 2022
Initiated By: Matthew L. Stiffler, Director of Finance
Re: Ordinance 64-22 Amending Chapter 51 Establishing User Fees and Capacity
Charges for the Sanitary Sewer
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 2027 for operating revenue and costs, capital improvement projects, and existing and
projected debt service obligations. Consistent with discussions during the CIP, it was determined
that a water rate increase is not necessary at this time, however an 8% increase to sewer user
fees would be recommended to support the fund’s obligations in future years. This includes the
construction of three relief sewers planned in the next five-year period: Deer Run Sanitary Sewer
System Improvements – Riverview Street Relief Sewer; Avery Road Relief Sewer, and Glick Road
Relief Sewer. Currently, the combined total of those projects (programmed over the next five-year
CIP period) is $8.285 million.
Ordinance No. 64-22 increases sanitary sewer fees by the recommended amounts for 2023. Funds
will be monitored, and future fee increases will be brought forward to City Council on an annual
basis.
The following table displays water and sewer rates since 2012.
$- $2 $4 $6 $8 $10 $12 $14 $16 $18 $20
201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023Water Sewer Combined
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. 64-22 Amending Chapter 51 User Fees and Capacity Charges for the Sanitary
Sewer and Water Systems
November 1, 2022
Page 2 of 3
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 – 2022 $3.25 $13.25 $16.50
2023 change $0.0 (0%) $1.06 (8%) $1.06
New rate – 2023 $3.25 $14.31 $17.56
*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 – 2022 $10.66 $43.73 $54.39
2023 change $0.0 (0%) $3.50 (8%) $3.50
New rate – 2023 $10.66 $47.23 $57.89
The recommended water and sanitary sewer system user fee adjustments also apply to the area
that is served by Delaware County (Wedgewood Hills, Campden Lakes, and Wedgewood Glen).
Delaware County charges a flat rate user charge 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 – 2022 $14.60 $43.80
2023 change $1.17 (8%) $3.50 (8%)
New rate – 2023 $15.77 $47.30
*These rates are in addition to rates charged by Delaware County.
The rate structures for both 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 potential service expansions, future user fees and capacity charges will continue to be
evaluated to determine the need to adjust rates in the future.
Sewer Fund
The Sewer Fund currently has debt outstanding for multiple projects in the total principal amount
of $17.5 million. Long-term bonds are currently planned for issuance in the total amount of
approximately $20.43 million over the next five-year period in conjunction with the approved 2023-
2027 Capital Improvements Program.
The proposed debt service for capital projects associated with the sanitary sewer system is much
more intense than that of the water system over the next five years. It is currently anticipated
that $1.2 million in sanitary manhole rehabilitation will be expended over the next five-year period,
with sanitary sewer lining and repair costing approximately $3 million in that same time period.
Additionally, improvements such as those necessary for the Deer Run Relief Sewers will incur costs
of more than $8.285 million. The proposed increase in fees is a direct result of the programmed
increase in expenditures associated with the debt service costs outlined above
Memo re. Ordinance No. 64-22 Amending Chapter 51 User Fees and Capacity Charges for the Sanitary
Sewer and Water Systems
November 1, 2022
Page 3 of 3
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 Ordinance No. 64-22 at the second reading/public hearing on
November 14, 2022.
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): _________________________________________