RES 2024025 - Laserfiche WebLink

34 Approved Rate Increases. Current approved rate increases are a 32.52% year over year increase in the overall rate for Fiscal Year 2024, and a 11.55% year over year increase in the overall rate for Fiscal Year 2025. Billing and Collection Water Service Charges. Water service charges are collected by the City and billed, together with wastewater service charges, on a bi-monthly basis by the City. Bills are due and payable within 30 days of the date of the bill. If payment is not received, a 10% late fee is assessed; then a final notice is sent, after which the account is sent to a collection agency. The City is authorized to disconnect water service in the event of a failure to pay water service charges. Affordability Assistance. Those who qualify or use at or below 30 CcF of water every bi-monthly billing period are discounted 30% for low-income customers and 20% for senior customers. The portion not paid by the customer is contributed by the City’s general fund. Water Connection Fees. The City and Zone 7 Water Connection Fees are collected as part of the building permit and water connection permit application procedures. Permits are not granted until payment has been received. City Water Connection Fees are part of the Gross Revenues. Zone 7 water connection fees are transmitted to Zone 7. On February 5, 2024, Zone 7 served the City with a lawsuit relating to Zone 7’s connection fees. Under an agreement the City has with Zone 7, the City collects new meter connection fees on behalf of Zone 7 and remits those payments to Zone 7. Zone 7 is claiming that the City misapplied Zone 7’s fee ordinance to various meter installations resulting in an under-payment of fees. The lawsuit has causes of action for: (a) breach of contract; (b) declaratory relief; (c) writ of mandate; and (d) failure to discharge mandatory duties. The lawsuit alleges that the City under collected $18,541,655 in connection fees. The City filed a demurrer requesting that the Court dismiss the lawsuit because, regardless of the facts alleged by Zone 7, there is no legal basis to support its claims. The Court has not yet issued its order on the City’s demurrer.