2002-0282
INTRODUCED BY: DARNELL “DEE” ABADIE, COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT III
ORDINANCE NO. 02-8-12
Title
An ordinance to amend the Parish Code of Ordinances to immediately suspend future increases to the sewer use charge.
Body
WHEREAS, St. Charles Parish has incrementally increased the sewer use fee to the current rate of $4.10 per 1,000 gallons of water based on estimates of expenditures provided by the rationalization program engineers, and actual expenses are now available; and,
WHEREAS, the sewer use rates are based on projected operating maintenance repair, replacement and depreciation expenses in accordance with applicable requirements as calculated in the Sewer Use Rate Study, and the actual depreciation expense is considerably higher than projected in the schedules. This needs to be reviewed as this number has a significant impact on the residual calculation and corresponding sewer rate; and,
WHEREAS, the Wastewater Enterprise Fund ended fiscal year 2001 with a total of $8,947,831.00 in retained earnings which is $1,963,537.00 above the beginning balance of $6,984,294.00. This increase was realized without having collected the higher rate for the full calendar year; yet the residual calculated is approximately 5%; and,
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens in the Parish that the Parish Council immediately suspend future rate increases pending an immediate independent evaluation of revenue, expenditures, retained earnings and residual of the sewer system since the rate was initially increased.
THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION I. That Chapter 22 of the St. Charles Parish Ordinances is hereby amended in Section 22-80. (1) (a) by amending the first paragraph and replacing it with the following:
(a) "Volume rate charge: To cover the cost of operation and maintenance, and where necessary, capital improvements to the wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal system, a volume rate user charge is hereby estab...
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