AGENDA CAPTION:
Title
Consider approval of Ordinance 2020-74, on the first of two readings, providing for the temporary reduction in sewer surcharges for commercial utility customers during the Covid-19 Pandemic; providing procedural provisions; and providing an effective date.
Body
Meeting date: September 1, 2020
Department: Public Services - Water/Wastewater, Tom Taggart, Director
Amount & Source of Funding
Funds Required: NA
Account Number: NA
Funds Available: NA
Account Name: NA
Fiscal Note:
Prior Council Action: None
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Background Information:
From March 26, 2020 to present, businesses in San Marcos have been adversely affected by emergency orders yet continue to pay Sewer Surcharge Fees based upon normal operating conditions. When a business is closed or operating at a reduced capacity, it discharges a lower wastewater volume than when the surcharge fee was assessed and potentially has a lower contaminant level. By utilizing the water usage of the businesses during the shutdown, a new reduced temporary flat fee can be assessed for businesses. The temporary flat fee will be based on the actual individual business water usage reduction for April and May of 2020 and applied retroactively from March 26, 2020 to the customer’s monthly bill until the following occurs: (1) all relevant emergency orders are rescinded and business operations are no longer restricted; or (2) a new sampling event is conducted by the City’s Water Quality Services Section to determine a new fee.
Council Committee, Board/Commission Action:
Consider approval of the resolution.
Alternatives:
Sewer surcharge program remains as is.
Recommendation:
Staff recommends passing the resolution providing sewer surcharge fee relief for affected commercial customers.