ITEM 1 Utility Rate memoCITY OF
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MINNESOTA g
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Lori Johnson, City Administrator
DATE: January 28, 2013
SUBJECT: Utility Rate Study
On November 13, 2012, the Utility Rate Study was presented to the Council after preliminary
review by staff and the Administrative Subcommittee. At the Council meeting, the Council
directed specific changes in the proposed rates. The Council further requested copies of the
analysis documentation for review.
Attached is revised' data with the Council's November 13, 2012, changes. In addition to making
the changes, the spreadsheets were updated to include end of year 2012 financial and permit
data. The final page of the attachment shows the impact of the rate adjustments on residential
and commercial users' monthly bills.
The proposed monthly change (based on the new rates) for water and sewer combined ranges
from a decrease of 5.8 percent to an increase of 10 percent in 2013 depending on the type of
user and volume of use and increases of between 3.5 percent and 4.2 percent in 2014. The
rates proposed in November produced changes of between a decrease of 2.2 percent and an
increase of 5.5 percent in 2013 and increases of between 3.4 percent and 4.4 percent in 2014.
Overall, the rates initially proposed were revenue neutral in 2013. The new rates increase
revenue by approximately $120,000 in 2013. The largest share of that increase, over $75,000
comes frorn residential use in the first tier. As you may recall, the rates initially proposed met
the existing and projected financial obligations of the utility funds.
One item to note is that future adjustments will be needed to meet the mandatory
conservation rate requirements. Currently, the conservation rates must be in place by 2015.
Alternatively, the City may be able to meet the conservation requirements by implementing
watering bans or other programs that reduce water usage.
Additionally, changes in the allocation of funds for access charges were proposed to more
accurately align the collection of fees with the infrastructure investment and related debt
obligation. Staff is still analyzing how to allocate the trunk and plant portions of the charge. A
recommendation will be forthcoming after additional review. This allocation does not affect
the outcome of the study because the total amount collected through connection charges will
not change.
Finally, Jessica Cook from Ehlers will present the revised rate data at the meeting. If you have
detailed and specific questions after reviewing the attached information, please contact me
before the meeting; your advance notice will allow us to be prepared with the answers at the
meeting. A decision on rates must be made no later than February 11 to meet the standard
rate increase timeline.
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