HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-07-02-R RESOLUTION 2014- —0 61 9
"A Resolution to Provide Oversight of Utility Ratel"
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WHEREAS, the City of Batesville provides water and wastewater sery ces to its citizens and
other entities through its Utilities Department's operation of a Water Treatment Facility together with a
water distribution system and a Wastewater Treatment Facility together with a wastewater collection
system; and
WHEREAS, historically the City of Batesville has demonstrated a pattern of adjusting rates
associated with the cost of operation of these water and wastewater services on a very sporadic timetable
often resulting in very significant increases followed by several years of no change whatsoever even
though costs have often continued to rise on an annual basis; and
WHEREAS, it is important to ensure the continued delivery of these essential services in a timely
manner and at reasonable costs to its customers; and
WHEREAS, significant and unexpected rate increases create exceptional burdens for residential,
industrial and wholesale customers and their budgeting cycles; and
WHEREAS,annual, and automatic increases that are commensurate wth inflation in the costs
associated with the operation of the Utilities Department including, but not lim ted to,the purchase of
goods and services used by the Utilities Department such as chemicals, electricity, construction materials
and equipment, labor and insurance will provide increased stability to the Utility Department and provide
better budgetary expectations for its customers.
NOW THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of Ba esville, Arkansas that:
Section 1. Prior to the passage of its yearly budget, the Utilities Department will
provide to the City Council a comparative report on its current yearly operatior al expenses in comparison
to the previous year.
Section 2. In addition, the Utilities Department will provide to the City Council a
water and wastewater rate study conducted every three years, beginning in 2017, to ensure that rates
charged for these services remain competitive with similar cities in Arkansas.
Section 3. Each year, during the budgeting process the City Council will determine if
any rate increase or rate decrease is warranted to fulfill the spirit of this Resolu ion.
This RESOLUTION adopted this 8th day of July, 2014.
Mayor Rick Elumbaugh
A st:
Denise Johnston, City Clerk