§ 32.13. User Service Rates, Fees and Billing Procedures.

1.

Intent and Purpose. The intent of this section shall be to establish user service rates, fees, applicable charges and billing procedures for the purpose of recovering costs incurred by the City for providing reclaimed water service as part of the effort to conserve water resources and extending the reclaimed water system to users within the designated reuse service area. The fees shall be computed on the basis of the volume of reclaimed water used and the size of the facilities and in approximate proportion to the benefits received by respective property owners or users.

2.

Authority.

(a)

The City Council shall have the exclusive authority, after publication of notice and public hearings in accordance with Florida Statutes, to establish user service rates, fees and other applicable charges for reclaimed water service; and to provide terms and conditions for the payment and collection of such fees and charges, including late payment interest, fees and charges.

(b)

The City shall reserve the right at all times to levy and to impose fees or other charges for reclaimed water service and for enforcement of the provisions as prescribed by this Chapter for such service on any real property which benefits from said utilities that are owned and operated by the City.

3.

Exemptions. Except as may be expressly authorized by City Council in the Agreement for Delivery and Use of Reclaimed Water or pre-existing contracts between the property owner or user and the City, no property owner or user shall be exempt by virtue of ownership from payment of the user service or service connection fees as prescribed by this Chapter.

4.

User Service Classifications. Uniform service classifications for users of the reclaimed water system are hereby established as follows:

(a)

Residential, Single Family. All residential structures, including mobile homes, containing one dwelling unit that are not connected in any manner to a commercial establishment.

(b)

Residential, Multi-Families. All residential structures containing two or more dwelling units and includes, but not limited to, duplexes, triplexes, quadraplexes, condominiums, apartments, mobile homes parks and travel trailer parks, may be served with either an individual or a master meter.

(c)

Agricultural. Nonresidential operations and properties involved in food production, golf courses, landscaping, plant nurseries or similar operations; and that are required to install an individual service connection and have an individual or master meter.

(d)

Commercial. Non-residential structures and properties that include, but are not limited to, rooming houses, hotels/motels, camp grounds, retail and wholesale sales operations, office buildings, shopping centers, warehouses, bakeries, vending operations, laundries, retirement, assisted living or nursing homes, restaurants, and other related service operations; and that are required to install an individual service connection and have either an individual or master meter.

(e)

Industrial. Nonresidential structures and property that serve as manufacturing, production, chemical, food processing, and similar types of operations or facilities; and that are required to install an individual service connection and have an individual or master meter.

(f)

Institutional. Nonresidential structures and property that include, but not limited to, hospitals, schools, universities, churches, public parks or recreational areas, prisons, government agencies or facilities, or municipalities; and that are required to install an individual service connection and have an individual or master meter.

(g)

Unmetered. Property owners or users with reclaimed water service that do not have a flow measurement device. Receiving reclaimed water service without a flow measurement device shall require prior written approval from the Director of Public Works.

(h)

Wholesale Service. Municipalities, other political subdivisions or very large agricultural, commercial, industrial or institutional users that receive reclaimed water in accordance with an Agreement for the Delivery and Use of Reclaimed Water. Municipalities and other political subdivisions may be allowed to resell the reclaimed water to those customers within their jurisdiction not otherwise served by an already existing agreement with the City.

5.

User Service Rates and Fees. The uniform schedule of user service rates and fees, as adopted by the City Council for reclaimed water service, including bulk water sales to other public or private utilities, is hereby established as follows:

(a)

Retail rate*

$0.81 per thousand gallons of metered reclaimed water usage

(b)

Bulk rate, pressure service**

$0.69 per thousand gallons of metered reclaimed water usage

(c)

Bulk rate, pressure service, interruptible***

RESERVED

(d)

Bulk rate, no pressure service****

RESERVED

(e)

Bulk rate, no pressure service, interruptible*****

RESERVED

(f)

Wholesale rate

Wholesale rates shall be determined on an individual basis and shall be included in an agreement for service as approved by City Council.

(g)

Backflow prevention inspection $35 per inspection event. All service classifications shall be inspected at least annually.

(h)

Reclaimed water meter installation charges

Installation charges for reclaimed water irrigation meters shall be identical to the then current charge established by the Orlando Utilities Commission for installation of potable water irrigation meters. The Orlando Utilities Commission may charge an administrative fee in addition to the meter installation charge.

*"Retail" customers shall include all service classifications, other than wholesale, with reclaimed water meters less than 2" in size

**"Bulk, pressure required" customers shall include all service classifications, other than wholesale, with reclaimed water meters 2" and greater in size that utilize the City reclaimed water system pressure to pressurize their irrigation system

***"Bulk, pressure required, interruptible" customers shall include all service classifications, other than wholesale, with reclaimed water meters 2" and greater in size that utilize the City reclaimed water system pressure to pressurize their irrigation system. The term "interruptible" means that the customer has available a qualified backup water source for irrigation, approved by the City, such as a well or stormwater pond and would agree to use the backup water source(s) upon direction by the City during a reclaimed water shortage due to demand or for other reasons.

****"Bulk, no pressure" customers shall include all service classifications, other than wholesale, with reclaimed water meters 2" and greater in size that do not utilize the City reclaimed water system pressure to pressurize their irrigation system, either through discharge to a holding pond or through the onsite application of pressure through a mechanical device.

*****"Bulk, no pressure, interruptible" customers shall include all service classifications, other than wholesale, with reclaimed water meters 2" and greater in size that do not utilize the City reclaimed water system pressure to pressurize their irrigation system, either through discharge to a holding pond or through the onsite application of pressure through a mechanical device. The term "interruptible" means that the customer has available a qualified backup water source for irrigation, approved by the City, such as a well or stormwater pond and would agree to use the backup water source(s) upon direction by the City during a reclaimed water shortage due to demand or for other reasons.

6.

Accounts, Billing and Payment Procedures. The Director of Public Works shall include all reclaimed water service charges and related fees on the monthly utility billing statement as prescribed in this Chapter. Payment in full of the charges and fees, as prescribed herein by the property owner or user shall be required prior to connection to the City's reclaimed water system, except as follows: (RESERVED)

7.

Discontinuance of Service for Nonpayment.

(a)

The Director of Public Works may discontinue reclaimed water service to any user or property owner for non-payment of, but not limited to, charges for reclaimed, potable or waste water service, reconnection or restoration of service, assessments, penalties, damages, or other outstanding fees.

(b)

If a user or property owner restores reclaimed water service that has been discontinued for nonpayment without authorization, then the Director of Public Works shall terminate reclaimed water service and shall remove the reclaimed water service connection. The user or property owner shall pay all charges related to termination of service and removal of the service connection in accordance with this Chapter.

(Ord. of 5-6-2002, Doc. #020506702; Ord. of 12-2-2002, § 1, Doc. #021202701)