Title
Incorporated County of Los Alamos Code Ordinance No. 02-288, An Ordinance Amending Chapter 40, Article III, Section 40-201 and 40-202 of the Code of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Pertaining to the Sewage Service Rate Schedule and Determination of Charges
Recommended Action
I introduce, without prejudice, Incorporated County of Los Alamos Ordinance No. 02-288; An Ordinance Amending Chapter 40, Article III, Section 40-201 and 40-202 of the Code of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos Pertaining to the Sewage Service Rate Schedule and Determination of Charges, and ask staff to assure that it is published as provided in the County Charter.
Utilities Manager Recommendation
The Utilities Manager recommends introduction of the ordinance as presented.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
The Board of Public Utilities recommends introduction of the ordinance as presented.
Body
In July, the Board of Public Utilities heard a preliminary presentation of the proposed Sewer Rate Increase presented for approval. After discussion, the Board approved the ordinance at a public hearing in August.
The ten-year forecast for the sewer utility presented with the FY2018 budget included a series of incremental rate increases to generate revenues needed for current operations and to build cash reserves necessary for future infrastructure replacements, most notably the needed replacement for the White Rock waste water treatment facility. Several alternatives have been considered as to timing of that plant replacement and financing alternatives. While the long-term projection of rate increases in each scenario that was considered were somewhat different, all include a series of rate increases in the coming years. The scenario adopted by the Board included an 8% increase in FY18 and another in FY19, with declining increases in years following. The FY19/20 budget represents implementation of that scenario, updated to reflect current known conditions and ...
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