HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-04-02 ORDINANCE NO. 2025-04-02
AN ORDINANCE MODIFYING FEES AND RATES TO BE CHARGED BY BATESVILLE
WATER AND SEWER UTILITIES FOR WORK RELATED TO WATER AND SEWER
SERVICES; DECLARING AN EMERGENCY;AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS,the City of Batesville owns and operates water distribution,pumping and
treatment facilities(water treatment works), and sewage collection,pumping and treatment facilities
(sewage treatment works); and
WHEREAS,the City of Batesville has determined that the rates for New Meter Installation
should be decreased and the calculation for the minimum for multiple meters should be adjusted.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
BATESVILLE,ARKANSAS:
Section 1.Water Connection Fees
A Connection fee shall be charged for connection to the Batesville Water Utilities System
for all customers both inside and outside of the Batesville City Limits. "All Customers"does
include rental property connected for the property owner for a short time,transfer of service from
one service address to another,readouts or change of service (if a trip is necessary) from one name
to another.
DESCRIPTION 2024 Charge
Water connection during normal work hours $20.00
Same Day connection $50.00
Section 2. Deposit
Deposits shall be as follows:
Residential Homeowner Amount
Water $50.00
Sewer $50.00
Water& Sewer $100.00
Landlord Deposit(for cleaning rentals) $50.00
Residential Non-Homeowner Amount
Water $75.00
Sewer $75.00
Water& Sewer $150.00
Commercial
Minimum Deposit $100.00
Maximum Deposit $500.00
Calculation Method Three (3)times Monthly Averages
Section 3. New Meter Installation
New meter installation fees shall be as follows:
Meter Size Rate Same Inside or Outside City)
34 $850
1" $1200
2" $4100
4"or larger Cost of labor,material, and
equipment usage.
Cost of Materials, Parts Labor and Equipment Usage Upgrades of existing meter to a larger
meter shall be charged at cost of materials and parts. If, with the original installation, an extra meter
1 Three (3)times the expected monthly water bill,three times the history at that location, three (3)
times the monthly bill of Similar business size and type, or a deposit due after implementation of
services based on the first three (3)months of actual use.
is set but not used immediately upon activation, it shall be charged at the current rate rather than the
rate in use at the time of installation.
Any new meter to be installed outside the City Limits must be approved by the City Council
prior to installation.
Section 4. Meter Requirement and Multi-User Structures
Meters shall be installed at each water connection at all buildings, both public and private.
There shall be no more than one residential single-family dwelling on a single meter.At the option
of the City of Batesville, multiple meters may be required or a single meter maybe required for
multi-user residential structures.
In the event that a single meter is utilized for a building having multiple residential housing
unit occupancy, except hotels and motels,the water minimum rate shall be calculated by
multiplying the number of housing units times the single monthly minimum user rate or by using
the table under 12.1, whichever is higher. Mobile home parks, apartments complexes, and other
similar aggregates having more than one structure in a group utilizing a single meter shall be
subject to the same rate as multiple occupancy residential housing buildings.
Hotels and motels shall be and are hereby classified as single occupancy commercial
structures and shall be subject to the water use rate of a single meter user.
Each commercial entity with a physical location utilizing water and sewer services shall
have a dedicated meter for each such location. In the event two or more commercial entities
presently utilize one meter,the rate shall be calculated by multiplying the number of such entities
by the minimum commercial rate.
Section 5. Road Crossing or Boring Fee-Water
The fee for Road crossing or boring, other than state or federal highways, for% "and 1"
meter shall be $1,200.00 per boring or crossing. If the water main is under a hard surface including
but not limited to asphalt or concrete,the city may charge an additional $25.00 per foot of crossing
or boring. However, in the event a third party must be contracted to complete the road crossing or
boring, the fee shall be equal to the City's charges accrued for services under the contract. Road
bores for meters over I" shall be charged at the cost of materials, parts, labor, and equipment usage.
Section 6. Road Crossing or Boring Fee-Sewer
Roads bores for sewer connections shall be the responsibility of the customer or contractor.
Batesville Water Utilities shall be contacted prior to construction to verify compliance with city's
standards and to allow time to schedule a representative to inspect the road bore.
Section 7. Inspection Fees
The fee for inspections, both water and sewer, conducted inside the Batesville City limits
shall be $35.00 per trip. If an inspection is required after normal work hours,the charge shall be
$70.00. For each hour in excess of two (2)hours, the charge shall be $35.00 per hour.
The fee for inspections, both water and sewer, conducted outside the Batesville City limits
shall be $45.00 per trip. If an inspection is required after normal work hours,the charge shall be
$90.00. For each hour in excess of two (2)hours, the charge shall be $45.00 per hour.
If more than one inspection is performed on the same property for the same customer during
the same trip in the normal allotted time,the charge shall be for one trip. Inspections may include
the water service line,the sewer service line (sanitary sewer)and new construction rough-in,top-
out and final inspection.
Section 8. Water Billing,Non-Payment Fees, Disconnect Fees, and Reconnect Penalty Fees
Water bills will be sent out on the last working day of each month and shall be payable on or
before the 20t' day of the following month.Non-payment, disconnect and reconnect penalties and
charges shall be on a per trip or per request basis as follows:
Customers who fail to pay by the 20th will be added to the "Cut Off List" on the first Monday of the
following month, and a fee will apply_
Description Amount Explanation
Late fee 10%of Bill Payment not received by the 20''of the month
Cutoff List Fee $20.00 Customers who fail to pay by the 20 will be added to
the the"Cut Off List" on the first Monday of the following
month, and a fee will apply.
Cutoff/Reconnect $20.00 Service will be reconnected after payment during
Normal business hours only.No reconnections will
be made between 5:00 p.m. and 8 a.m.
Profiling $20.00 Customer request City to extract usage information
From AMR meters.
After notification of past due bill,the customer will still be allowed to pay a minimum of the past
due bill plus the applicable 10%late fee until the first Monday of the next month.
Once the cutoff list, which sets forth those accounts which are set to be disconnected, is
printed, a Cut Off List Fee of$20.00 for non-payment shall be applied. If the customer does not
pay before a Water Utility Department technician arrives on site to disconnect the meter an
additional $20.00 charge shall be added to the account in the form of a reconnection fee. If the
service is disconnected,the customer must pay, in addition to the disconnect/reconnect fees, his or
her past due bill in order to have service reconnected. If a customer, having made payment
arrangements prior to disconnection, does not fulfill his or her obligations under that arrangement,
that customer shall be disconnected and an additional disconnect/reconnect fee shall be applied to
their account.
Section 9. Insufficient Check Fee
Upon receipt of the first insufficient check,the customer may be called to redeem the check
for a$20.00 penalty if the bill for which check was written is immediately satisfied in full. Should
an insufficient check result in late penalties, notice of past due bill, disconnect, or reconnect, all fees
for said services set forth herein shall apply. The City may disconnect service upon confirmation
that subsequent checks failed to clear for insufficient funds.
Section 10. Damaged Services
Damage to a service is defined as cutting lock, damaging the eyelets or the hasp on the setter
when trying to turn water on illegally or damaging the meter i.e. breaking the register in order to
stop the meter from registering usage.A damaged charge is of$100.00 shall be assessed against the
account for each separate incident of such damage. If such damage occurs during an attempt to
circumvent the metering system, $100.00 shall be assessed against the account in addition to the
damage charge of$100.00, as well as the estimated charge for water used. If a customer continues
to damage services or continues in an attempt of theft of services, Batesville Water Utilities is
authorized to disconnect the service at the main line. If such service is disconnected at the main
line, the customer will be required to pay the full cost of setting a new service in addition to all
other charges levied to this account in order for service to be restored.
Section 11.Water Rate Definitions
Hereafter,the following definitions shall apply and be used in interpretation and
administration of Batesville water rates, to wit:
11.1 Residential Users are defined as those using waters services in
appurtenant to a structure used or designed for use as a dwelling place, whether for single or
multiple occupancy, excluding hotels and motels.
11.2 Commercial Users are defined as those using water services in or appurtenant to a
structure used or designed for a place of business, including hotels and motels, but excluding
industrial users.
11.3 Industrial Users are defined as those using water services in or appurtenant to a
structure or enclosed used or designed for use as a place for manufacturing or processing goods.
11.4 Wholesale Users are defined as any municipality, water association, improvement
district, or legal entity desiring to purchase water from the City of Batesville for resale by
individual metering.
11.5 Lawn Sprinkler are defined as those using water services for landscaping, lawn,
gardening,horticulture, or agriculture purposes, and those users shall be required to install separate
one inch(1")meter with no sewer or garbage charges.
Section 5.Water Rates for Customer Inside City Limits
Commencing with January 1, 2024,the billing period, the following monthly rates shall be,
and they are hereby, fixed as rates to be charged for water furnished by the Waterworks System of
the City to Customers inside the City, which rates the Council finds and declares to be reasonable
and necessary rates to be charged. Subject to the conditions hereinafter set out, the charges for water
services and water usage for each customer inside the city limits shall be based on the customers
meter size and the customer's meter water usage in accordance with the schedules shown below.
12.1 Residential, Commercial, and Industrial water user customers inside the city limits
shall pay the following minimum monthly rates for the first one thousand(1,000) gallons or any
part thereof for metered water usage based upon the meter size and calendar year in the following
table:
Inside City Inside City inside City Inside City inside City
Meter Size 2024 Min 2025 Min 2026 Mint 2027 Mitt 2028 Mitt
314"-5/8" 11.98 13.30 14.80 16.42 18.12
1" 29.58 32.85 36.55 40,57 44.74
2" 11914 132.98 147.95 164.21 181.12
3" 287.36 319.15 355.07 394.09 434.66
Al" 502.89 558.52 621.38 689.67 760.67
6" 1,101.56 1,223.40 1,361,10 1,510.68 1,666.21
8" 1,914.35 2,126.10 2.365.40 2,625.35 2.895.63
12.2 Residential, Commercial, and Industrial water user customers inside the city limits shall be
charged the following rates based on the calendar year for metered water usage greater than one thousand
(1000) gallons per month (rate is dollars per 1000 gallons used):
Inside City inside City Inside City Inside City Inside City
Water 2024 Water 2025 Water 2026 Water 2027 Water 2028
Next 99,000 gal 4.60 5.11 5.69 6.31 6.96
Next 1,900,000 gal 3.50 3.89 4.33 4.80 5.30
All Over 2,000000 gal 2.75 3.05 3.39 3.77 4.15
12.3 Water rates for all customers inside the City limits shall increase at a rate of four
percent (4%) on January 1st of each year starting in the year 2029.
Section 13. Water Rates for Customers Outside City Limits
Commencing with January 1, 2024, billing period and subject to the conditions hereinafter
set out, the charges for water services and water usage for each residential, commercial, or
industrial user customer outside city limits shall be based on the customers meter size and the
customers metered water usage in accordance with the schedules shown below.
13.1 Residential, Commercial, and Industrial water user customers outside the city limits
shall pay the following minimum monthly rates for the first one thousand (1,000) gallons or any
part thereof for metered water usage based upon the meter size and calendar year in the following
table:
Outside City Outside City Outside City Outside City Outside City
Meter Size 2024 Min 2025 Mln 2026 Min 2027 Min 2028 Min
314"-M" 18.70 20.77 23.11 25.€S 28.29
1" 46.48 51.62 57.43 63.75 70.31
2" 187.35 208.07 231.49 2S6.93 293.38
3" 449.36 499.06 555.23 616.25 679.70
4" 786.03 872.97 971.23 1,077.96 1,188.94
6" 1,719.96 1,910.21 2,125.21 2,3S8.76 2,601.60
8" 2,992.30 3,323.29 3,697.32 4,103.65 4,525.13
13.2 Residential, Commercial, and Industrial water user customers outside the city limits
shall be charged the following rates based on the calendar year for metered water usage greater than
one thousand (1000) gallons per month(rate is dollars per 1000 gallons used):
Outside City Outside City Outside City Outside City Outside City
Water 2024 Water 2025 Water 2026 Water 2027 Water 2028
Next 99,000 gal 5.76 6.40 7.12 7.90 8.71
Next 1.900,000 gal 4.38 4.87 5.41 6.01 6,63
All Over 2,000,000 gal 3.44 3.82 4.25 4.71 5.20
13.3 Water rates for all customers outside the City limits shall increase at a rate of four
percent(4%)on January 1st of each year starting in the year 2029.
Section 14. Meter Size
The size of the meter shall be commensurate with the potential use of water(maximum rate
of demand), and shall be determined by the City of Batesville.
Section 15.Wholesale User Rates
Commencing with the January 2024 billing period, any municipality, water association,
improvements district, utility, or legal entity which purchases water for resale shall purchase water
for resale shall purchase at the following rate schedule(rate is dollars per 1000 gallons used):
Wholesale Wholesale Wholesale Wholesale Wholesale
Water 2024 Water 2025 Water 2026 Water 2027 Water 2028
All Wholesale per 1000 gal 3.44 3.82 4.25 4.71 5.2
15.1 Water rates for all wholesale customers shall increase at a rate of four percent(4%)on
January 1st of each year starting in the year 2029.
Section 16. Private Fire Connections
Private fire connections for private premises shall pay the following fire service charges per year.
16.1 Automatic sprinkler system connections shall be charged as follows:
16.1.1 1,000 heads or less $612.00 annually
16.1.2 For systems containing more than $612.00 annually
1,000 heads, for each head plus $0.68 per head(each)
16.2 Private fire hydrants; standard $612.00 annually
Two (2)2.5-inch standard hose connections per hydrant
16.3 Standard hydrant with one 2.5 inch $442.00 annually
Hose connection per hydrant
16.4 The service charge for fire hose standpipes shall be:
16.4.1 1.25"diameter openings, or smaller $41.00 annually (each)
16.4.2 1.5"diameter openings $68.00 annually (each)
16.4.3 2.0"diameter openings $153.00 annually (each)
16.4.4 2.5"diameter openings $305.00 annually (each)
Section 17. Sewer Tap Fees
After the customer has excavated in accordance with all safety standards, Batesville Water
Utilities shall, on existing main line and manholes, make the tap at a charge of$300.00 per tap. In a
development of another developer who installed approved stub-outs, a builder shall be charged a
$75.00 fee by Batesville Water Utilities for access to the sanitary sewer. Sewer connections for a
developer building its own development where it has connected approved sewer lines and manholes
with approved stub-outs shall be assessed an access fee. Use by a customer of an existing pre-used
sewer connection shall not be assessed an access fee, all taps, connections, stub-outs, and sewer
lines attaching to the Batesville Water Utilities sewer collection system shall be inspected and
approved by a representative of Batesville Water Utilities before access will be granted to the
system. Batesville Water Utilities shall be contacted prior to construction to allow time to schedule
a representative to inspect during construction.
Section 18. Sewer Billing Procedure
Bills for sewer shall be rendered monthly. If a bill is not paid on or before the twentieth
(201h) day following the original date of billing, a ten(10)percent penalty shall be added to the bill.
If a bill is not paid on or before the thirtieth(30a')day following the original date of billing,the City
shall disconnect the water services to the premise.
Section 19. Sewer Rates
19.1 Monthly Sewer Charges. Monthly sewer rates shall be based upon metered water
consumption.
19.2 User Classification: The City shall classify all users of the sanitary sewer system as
either domestic or commercial, on the basis of whether the water consumption for the individual
user is for domestic or commercial purposes.
19.3 Definition of User: The term"user" is hereby defined as any person or entity whose
buildings or premises are connected with and use the sanitary sewer system of the City or other
discharged sewer, industrial water, or other liquids either directly or indirectly into the sewer system
of the City.
19.4 Domestic User Fee. For each domestic user the average monthly water consumption
for the months of January, February, and March of the current year in which sewer bills are
rendered, and the month of December of the preceding calendar year, shall be computed. The
resulting average consumption shall constitute the uniform monthly charge for each domestic user.
Each user's rate shall then be determined by applying the schedule of rates shown below to the
uniform monthly charge of each user.
19.5 Fee for New Domestic User. In the event a new customer has not established a four-
winter-month's average use as set out above, the billing shall be based on the actual month's usage
until a four-winter-months'average use has been determined.
19.6 Basis of Commercial User's Bill. For each commercial user,the monthly water
consumption for the month in which the sewer bills are rendered shall be computed and the sewer
charge for each commercial user shall be determined by applying the schedule of rates shown below
to the monthly consumption for each user, provided that in the case of a commercial user using an
appreciable amount of water that does not reach the sewer system, the City, upon request by such
commercial user, shall determine the volume of the water usage that does reach the sewer and the
schedule of rates shall be applied to that volume.
19.7 Total Rate Schedule for Users Inside City Limits
19.7.1 Sewer Rates for Customers in the City Limits. Residential, Commercial,
and Industrial sewer user customers inside the city limits shall pay the rates for metered water usage
based upon the calendar year and rates in the following table:
Inside City Inside City Inside City Inside City Inside City
Meter Size Sewer 2024 Sewer 2025 Sewer 2026 Sewer 2027 Sewer 2028
Minimum Charge
for First 1,000 gallons 15.53 17.59 18.45 19.34 20.32
All Over 1,000 gallons 5.03 5.69 5.97 6.26 6.58
Calculated by multiplying
Rate by Number of Thousands
Of Gallons Used
19.7.2 The rates set in the total rate schedule for users inside City Limits as stated in this Section
shall increase four percent (4%) each year,beginning January 1, 2029.
19.8 Total Rate Schedule for Users Outside City Limits
19.8.1 Sewer Rates for Customers outside the City Limits. Residential,
Commercial, and Industrial sewer user customers outside the city limits shall pay the rates for
metered water usage based upon the calendar year and rates in the following table:
Outside City Outside City Outside City Outside City Outside City
Meter Size Sewer 2024 Sewer 2025 Sewer 2026 Sewer 2027 Sewer 2028
Minimum Charge for
First 1,000 gallons 19.41 21.99 23.07 24.18 25.41
All Over 1,000 gal 6.27 7.11 7.46 7.81 8.21
Calculated by multiplying
Rate by Number of Thousands
Of Gallons Used
19.8.2 For users of the sanitary sewer system located outside the City,the monthly
rates for sewer services of the system shall increase four percent(4%) each year,beginning January
1, 2029.
Section 20. No Services Furnished Without Fee.
None of the facilities or services afforded by the sewage treatment works shall be furnished
without a charge being made therefore.Any vacant, unoccupied property attached to the sewer
system having an in-service water meter shall be considered to be a contributor to the sewer system
at such time as a sewer is completed and as such is subject to the monthly usage and services set
forth in the above-mentioned rate structure.
Section 21. Records
A financial management system shall be established and maintained by the City of
Batesville,Arkansas,to document compliance with Federal regulations pertaining to any Revolving
Loan. The system will account for all revenues generated and expenditures for operation and
maintenance and replacement.
Section 22. Review and Revision.
The City of Batesville,Arkansas, will review the user charges from time to time and revise
the rates as necessary to ensure that adequate revenues are generated to pay the costs of operation
and maintenance including replacement and that the system continues to provide for the
proportional of distribution of operation and maintenance including replacement costs among users
and user classes.
Section 23. Dispute Resolution
Any user who feels his user is unjust and inequitable may make written application to the
City of Batesville requesting a review of the respective user charge. Said written request shall,
where necessary, show the actual or estimated average flow of his wastewater. Review of the
Request shall be made by the City Public Works Engineer and, if substantiated,the user charges for
that user shall be recomputed based on the revised flow data and the new charges shall be
applicable to the next billing cycle/period. Should the user disagree with the City Public Works
Engineer's findings, the user may elect to bring the issue before the City Council on appeal.
Section 24. Inoperative Meter/Catastrophic Use
Should a customer's water meter malfunction, the City may adjust the customer's bill as set
forth herein. When such malfunction or catastrophic use causes excess water consumption and valid
proof of repair, that is acceptable to the City, is presented, usage may be adjusted, at the discretion
of the City.
In the event a malfunction or catastrophic use is a result of defects on the customer's
property, such adjustment may be calculated by averaging the customer's use for the preceding 12
months, including high usage months, and assessing the bill in the amount of that average.
In the event a malfunction or catastrophic use is a result of defects on the City's property,
such adjustment may be calculated by averaging the customer's use for the twelve (12)months
preceding the malfunction or catastrophic use and assessing the bill in the amount of that average.
Section 25. Reasonableness
That the City Council hereby finds and declares that the above fees and rates are fair,
reasonable and necessary minimum fees, and will produce revenue at least sufficient to recover
actual costs or performing the services.
Section 26. Severability
That the provisions of this Ordinance are separable and if a section,phrase or provision shall
be declared invalid, such declaration shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Ordinance.
Section 27. Repeal of Conflicting Ordinances
That all ordinances or parts of other ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
Section 28: EMERGENCY CLAUSE:
That due to municipal growth the need for new meters is immediate. Therefore, it is further
found that an emergency exists and this ordinance being necessary for the preservation of the public
peace,health and safety shall take effect from and after its passage and approval.
PASSED AND APPROVED THIS 22°d day of April, 2025.
M yor lumbaugh
ATTEST:
Jessica Davis, lity Clerk