Chapter 14.08 — WATER RATES

State Law reference— Power of cities to prescribe, revise and collect charges for the water furnished by it, Government Code § 54344.

The water rates set forth in sections 14.08.020 through 14.08.050 are established for domestic, commercial, industrial and multi-unit dwelling users receiving water from the city municipal water system.

(Code 1972, § 14.08.010; Ord. No. 375, § 2(part), 1972)

(a)

The monthly service charge for domestic users shall be as follows:

Meter Size Monthly Service (in inches) Charge

⅝ $9.10

¾ $11.90

1 $18.40

1½ $36.90

2 $75.90

3 $97.90

4 $119.90

6 $163.65

(b)

In the event consumption on the three-fourths inch service is 400 cubic feet or less the monthly service charge shall be $9.10. Water consumption charge shall be $1.32 per 100 cubic feet.

(Code 1972, § 14.08.020; Ord. No. 375, § 2(part), 1972; Ord. No. 976, § 1, 1994)

(a)

The monthly service charge for commercial and industrial users shall be as follows:

Meter Size Monthly Service (in inches) Charge

⅝ $9.10

¾ $11.90

1 $18.40

1½ $36.90

2 $75.90

3 $97.90

4 $119.90

6 $163.65

(b)

In the event consumption on the three-fourths inch service is 400 cubic feet or less the monthly service charge shall be $9.10. Water consumption charge shall be $1.32 per 100 cubic feet.

(Code 1972, § 14.08.030; Ord. No. 375, § 2(part), 1972; Ord. No. 976, § 2, 1994)

(a)

Multiple-family units (two or more units) and other customers served from one water meter, excluding hotels, motels, and efficiency unit apartment developments, shall be billed the monthly service charge according to meter size, plus an additional unit charge of $11.90 for each unit above one.

MONTHLY SERVICE CHARGE

Number Meter Size of Units (in inches)

⅝ ¾ 1 1½ 2 3 4 6

2 $18.20 $23.80 $30.30 $48.80 $87.80 $109.80 $131.80 $175.55

3 $27.30 $35.70 $42.20 $60.70 $99.70 $121.70 $143.70 $187.45

4 $36.40 $47.60 $54.10 $72.60 $111.60 $133.60 $155.60 $199.35

5 $45.50 $59.50 $66.00 $84.50 $123.50 $145.50 $167.50 $211.25

6 $54.60 $71.40 $77.90 $96.40 $135.40 $157.40 $179.40 $223.15

7 $63.70 $83.30 $89.80 $108.30 $147.30 $169.30 $191.30 $235.05

8 $72.80 $95.20 $101.70 $120.20 $159.20 $181.20 $203.30 $246.95

9 $81.90 $107.10 $113.60 $132.10 $171.10 $193.10 $215.10 $258.85

10 $91.00 $119.00 $125.50 $144.00 $183.00 $205.00 $227.00 $270.75

(b)

Water consumption charge shall be $1.32 per 100 cubic feet. The adjusted water consumption charge in sections 14.08.020, 14.08.030 and this section shall become effective February 15, 1994.

(Code 1972, § 14.08.040; Ord. No. 375, § 2(part), 1972; Ord. No. 976, § 3, 1994; Ord. No. 1124, § 1, 2003)

(a)

For purposes of this chapter, the term "efficiency unit apartment development" means a residential apartment development or building served by a single water meter and containing more than one apartment unit, with each apartment unit:

(1)

Containing no more than one bedroom;

(2)

Having less than 600 square feet of living space; and

(3)

Consuming an annual average that is approximately one-half the median amount of water consumed by other residential units, as determined by the city.

(b)

Efficiency unit apartment developments shall be billed the monthly service charge according to meter size, plus an additional unit charge equal to 50 percent of the monthly service charge applicable to multiple- family units for each unit above one.

(Code 1972, § 14.08.050; Ord. No. 1124, § 2, 2003)

(a)

The rates set forth in this chapter, as adjusted in resolutions or ordinances adopted subsequent to the enactment date of the ordinance from which this chapter is derived, may be increased or decreased by a resolution in accordance with appropriate law.

(b)

The city may:

(1)

Increase customers' water consumption charges to pass through increased wholesale water purchase costs charged by Eastern Municipal Water District (EMWD) to the city on the date that EMWD's increase takes effect or within 60 days thereafter; and

(2)

Adjust its fixed fee and consumption fee charged to customers based on CPI (as defined below) on January 1 of each such year, subject to the city council's right each year to forego or reduce the amount of the automatic inflationary adjustments or wholesale pass through charges.

The new fee shall be calculated on the fee in effect in the month prior to the new fee taking effect.

(c)

CPI means the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Consumer Price Index (Los Angeles—Orange County—Riverside), measured on the September index number and covering a year period.

(Code 1972, § 14.08.060; Ord. No. 375, § 2(part), 1972; Ord. No. 976, § 4, 1994; Ord. No. 1259, § 2, 8-25- 2009)

In addition to water connection charges for all new users of water, there shall be imposed a water equity fee charge. The water equity fee charge shall be paid upon application for a building permit and shall be based upon the actual or intended use of the property to be served. Equity user fees shall be in an amount calculated as follows:

(1)

For each single-family residence and mobile home, and each unit of a multiple-family residence, apartment, condominium and townhouse located upon the property to be served, a user equity fee of $500.00.

(2)

For each hospital, clinic, nursing home, convalescent home, medical and dental office, and retail business which uses water in the preparation of goods for sale, located upon the property to be served, a user equity fee based on the following:

Square Feet Equity Fee

Less than 2,000 $500.00

2,000—4,999 $1,000.00

5,000—9,999 $1,500.00

10,000—30,000 $6,000.00

Over 30,000 $10,000.00

(3)

For each laundry, restaurant and establishment which serves alcoholic beverages located upon the property to be served, a user equity fee based on the following:

Square Feet Equity Fee

Less than 2,000 $1,125.00

2,000—4,999 $2,250.00

5,000—10,000 $2,500.00

Over 10,000 $9,000.00

(4)

For each service station and garage located upon the property to be served, a user equity fee of $900.00.

(5)

For any school located upon the property to be served, a user fee of $25.00 per pupil attending the school.

(6)

For each church, warehouse, fraternal organization, and retail business which does not use water in preparing goods for sale, a user equity fee of $900.00.

(7)

For each industrial business located upon the property to be served, user equity fee based on the following:

Number of Employees User Equity Fee

0—20 $500.00

21—50 $1,500.00

51—100 $3,000.00

Over 100 $4,000.00

(Code 1972, § 14.08.080; Ord. No. 627, § 1, 1985)

The charges set forth herein may be updated or revised from time to time by resolution or ordinance of the city council as may be required by law.

Fee

Standard Drop in Meter Installations (with MXU)

¾" meter $  950.00

1" meter  1,000.00

1½" meter  1,485.00

2" meter  1,590.00

3" meter  1,680.00

4" meter  2,820.00

6" meter  4,675.00

8" meter  6,950.00

New Services*

Deposit—Residential    125.00

Deposit—Commercial    250.00

Deposit—Hydrant/construction  1,000.00 meters (4" meter—Cost $0.00)

Service activation fee     25.00

Deposit waiver fee      5.00

Relocation of hydrant/construction     35.00 meters

New construction (fixed charge)     85.00

Meter Testing

1" and smaller    100.00

1½" and 2"    110.00

3"    135.00

4"    165.00

Fire flow testing    135.00

Testing of a hydrant/construction    135.00 meter

Repairs (Damaged/Tampered Equipment)**

Broken angle stop    165.00

Broken locking device     35.00

Disconnect service at main    525.00

Repair T-meter swivel     70.00

Fees and Penalties***

Liens against property    100.00

Delinquency charge      5.00

Nonsufficient charge fee     15.00

Service disconnect fee     25.00 (nonpayment)

Service restoration—Before 3:30     20.00 p.m.

Service restoration—After 3:30 p.m.    100.00

Service restoration—Multiple trips     20.00

Illegal service restoration—    200.00 Residential

Illegal service restoration—    500.00 Commercial/industrial

Broken lock or tag—Represents     20.00 labor only. Broken lock or tag may include damage to meter, AMR, ECR or other

MXU device (new or replacement)    200.00

AMR meter damaged/missing    110.00

Meter replacement fee (meter only, installed)***

¾" meter     95.00

1" meter    180.00

1½" meter    345.00

2" meter    500.00

3" meter  1,350.00

4" meter  2,620.00

6" meter  4,350.00

8" meter  6,625.00

*Deposits may be refunded after one year with good payment history or may be applied to any other outstanding delinquent charges. Finance director may retain deposit or require a new deposit on existing account when (i) two or more yellow tag warning notices for pending shut-off are given to a customer within a 12-month period or (ii) one or more service disconnect for nonpayment actions occur within a 12-month period.

**All costs proposed for repairs are labor only. Materials from third-party vendor would vary as needed for repair and would be charged accordingly. Fees may be increased or subject to adjustment depending on the damage that may be found at the time of the particular service.

***Bills are delinquent if not paid by 11th day after mailing and assessed a late fee on day 30 following mailing.

(Code 1972, § 14.08.090; Ord. No. 1229, § 3, 2007; Ord. No. 1259, § 3, 8-25-2009)

(a)

The city may exercise any remedies available under the law with respect to delinquent service charges.

(b)

The city council hereby elects to collect delinquent charges using a third party collection agency to provide for the management and collection of past due service fees and penalties.

(c)

If the delinquent service fees and penalties are unreasonably high and collection is not achieved by the third party collection agency, then the city council hereby elects to collect delinquent charges on the tax roll in the same manner and together with its general taxes, and in a manner required by law.

(d)

Upon determination that the service fees and penalties are unreasonably high and that collection has not been achieved by the third party collection agency, the city finance director may at any time record with the county recorder a list of delinquent charges and penalties and shall include in each such list a description of the real property upon which the same is a lien, and the name of the city. All delinquent charges and penalties when so recorded shall constitute a lien upon the real property served by the water or sewer system, except no such lien shall be created against any property owned by a public corporation.

(Code 1972, § 14.08.100; Ord. No. 1229, § 4, 2007; Ord. No. 1354, § 2, 9-26-2017)