Fiscal Note
This resolution approves the policy for the City's collection of the Urban Forestry Special Charge. The City of Madison's 2015 operating budget includes $1,000,000 in net revenue to the City. All Urban Forestry Special Charge revenues will be collected in a special revenue fund. At close of 2015 an amount commensurate with $1,000,000 in net revenues to the City will be transferred from the special revenue fund to the general fund.
The charge per residential customer will be approximately $13.80 in 2015 (monthly charge of $2.76 for August through December). The average residential customer will receive an annual savings of $3.60 from the reduction in the Landfill Remediation Fee rate schedule resulting in a net increase of $10.20.
Costs associated with modifications to the Water Utility's billing system to accommodate the addition of an Urban Forestry Special Charge are estimated to be $9,000. These costs will be paid by the Parks Division's Forestry operating budget.
Title
Approving the urban forestry special charge policy.
Body
WHEREAS, on October 21, 2014, the Common Council adopted Ordinance ORD-14-00162, file 35038, created Section 4.095 of the Madison General Ordinances, which ordinance established an urban forestry special charge in the City of Madison; and,
WHEREAS, the intent of the urban forestry special charge is to recover the costs to the City to maintain and manage the City's urban forest through its urban forestry program, which program provides a service to all real property in the City; and,
WHEREAS, under Subsection 4.095(4) of this Ordinance, the City Forester is required to prepare an urban forestry special charge policy that establishes the method of calculating and apportioning the urban forestry special charge, which policy is to be submitted to the Common Council for approval; and,
WHEREAS, the City Forester, in consultation with the Parks Division, the City Attorney, and the Finance Department, have prepared an urban forestry special charge policy for approval by the Council.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Common Council approves the urban forestry special charge policy prepared in accordance with Sec. 4.095, which policy is attached hereto; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the urban forestry special charge shall be apportioned consistent with this approved policy.