Ione Municipal Code Ch. 13.48 Charges and Rates

Each customer shall pay sewer service fees in accordance with which premises are used. In the event that such premises are used for more than one purpose, there shall be a monthly fee for each classification of use on portions of such premises and the monthly sewer service fee for such premises shall be the aggregate of all such monthly fees. No portion of any premises utilized for more than one purpose shall be charged in one classification for more than one purpose. The monthly sewer fee per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) is forty dollars and seventy cents per month. The EDU for residential and nonresidential use is set forth in Table A that is attached to this section.

Table A

Sewer Service Fees

1. Single Family Residences

The monthly sewer service charge for each single family residential unit designated for single family occupancy is $40.70.

2. Commercial Establishments

For each commercial establishment, except those listed elsewhere herein, the sewer service charge is:

This base commercial rate shall apply to all businesses, except as noted elsewhere herein.

3. Premises Outside City

All premises outside the city shall pay the same charge that would be payable if the premises were located within the City. In addition, each property owner receiving sewer service from the City shall pay the City in-lieu taxes in the same amount that would be paid if the premises were in the City limits.

4. Apartment Houses

Apartment houses shall pay a monthly sewer service charge of one single family residential charge for each rentable unit.

5. Trailer Courts and Mobile Home Parks

The monthly rate for trailer courts and mobile home parks shall be one commercial rate for each permanent commercial structure, plus one single family residential rate for each sewer outlet available for connection.

6. Combined Establishments

Any combination of establishments identified herein, inclusive, shall pay the fees set forth herein which provides the highest monthly charge to the customer. Any such combination establishment shall pay multiple fees consistent with each type of use as set forth herein.

7. Other Institutions

Other institutions are defined as:

A. Schools

B. California Division of Forestry

C. Convalescent Homes

D. Motels and Hotels

E. Laundromat Facilities

F. Car Washes

G. Restaurants

H. Markets

I. Outside Agencies Receiving Treatment Services from the City

J. All Unspecified Places of Employment Not Listed Elsewhere Herein

Sewer service charges for other institutions shall initially be established by fixture unit as follows:

The sewer service charges shall thereafter be proportional to each user's average monthly water consumption for the preceding five month period of November, December, January, February, and March with the exception of the California Division of Forestry and "Outside Agencies Receiving Treatment Services from the City." Sewer service charges for the California Division of Forestry shall be based upon the average monthly water consumption for the preceding twelve month period of January to December. Sewer service charges for "Outside Agencies Receiving Treatment Services from the City" shall be based upon actual metered wastewater flows to the City's collection system. The monthly water meter records from the local water agency shall be utilized to establish the average monthly water consumption. The average monthly water consumption, multiplied by the cost per gallon for sewage treatment plus $0.0011/gallon shall equal the monthly sewer service charge.

The cost per gallon for sewage treatment shall be determined in June of each year by the City Council based on the cost to the City to process sewage.

The sewer service charges for "Other Institutions" shall be reviewed annually during the month of May. At that time, the average monthly water consumption for the appropriate preceding period will be utilized to calculate the rate for the ensuing fiscal year. Each user that has a change in monthly rates shall be notified by mail by the 15th of June, and any adjusted sewer service and collection charges shall become effective the following July 1st.

(Ord. 383 §1, 2004: Ord. 323 §2(part), 1992).

The sewer connection fee per equivalent dwelling unit (EDU) is seven thousand six hundred forty-three dollars. The EDU for residential and nonresidential use is set forth in Table B that is attached to this section. The fee shall be paid prior to the issuance of the building permit.

Table B

(Ord. 384 §1, 2004: Ord. 323 §2(part), 1992).

In order to effect the powers of this article and pursuant to Section 6523.2 of the Health and Safety Code of the state, the city superintendent and his or her authorized representatives are given the power and authority to enter upon private property for the purpose of inspection and maintenance of sanitary and waste disposal facilities, including, but not limited to, ascertaining the nature of such premises, the type of activities carried on therein, the number of plumbing fixtures situate therein, and any other facts or information reasonably necessary to ascertain the applicability of any sewer service charges to such premise, or the amount of such charges.

(Ord. 323 §2(part), 1992).

A. It is the intent of the provisions of this article, in establishing different sewer service charges for different categories of customers, to reflect the benefit from such service to each customer so that those who receive greater benefits or those who impose heavier burden upon the system because of higher flow, or the quality of the discharge, pay a higher charge. If, in respect to any customer, the city council should find that the charge is inequitable, or unfair because of unusual circumstances, it may establish a special service charge for such customer, differing from those otherwise established which will bear a closer relationship to the benefit received from use of the city system. Such special charge may be established by resolution or agreement, but may be revoked at any time by the council whenever it finds that continuation thereof would be inequitable or unfair under the circumstances then prevailing.

B. The owner or occupants of any premises who by reason of special circumstances finds that the applicable rates are unjust or inequitable as applied to his premises may make written application to the city council stating the circumstances and requesting a different basis of charges for such premises. If such application be approved, the city council may by resolution fix and establish fair and equitable rates for such premises to be effective as of the date of such application and continuing during the period of such special circumstances.

(Ord. 323 § 2(part), 1992).

No credit, adjustment or refund will be made to any customer because the premises or any part thereof are vacant unless said premises are disconnected from the sewer system.

(Ord. 323 § 2(part), 1992).

When any refund becomes due and owing by virtue of action of the city council or by virtue of any error made in ascertaining the charge applicable to any customer, the city council is authorized to make payable such moneys from the specific fund established for the deposit of sewer charges.

(Ord. 323 § 2(part), 1992).