Fiscal Note
The proposed resolution revises the Rate Adjustment and Credit Policy for the Stormwater Utility. Fiscal impacts to the City of Madison Stormwater Utility are expected to be minimal and reflect billing practices that are reasonable. No appropriation is required.
Title
A Resolution revising the Rate Adjustment and Credit Policy as Provided by Section 37.05(4)(d) of the Madison General Ordinances (Citywide).
Body
WHEREAS, the City established a Storm Water Utility in November of 2000 and began utility billings in the second half of 2001. The Ordinance creating the Storm Water Utility provided for application of rate adjustments based upon guidance from the Public Service Commission and previous court rulings. In March of 2002, the City Engineer established the Rate Adjustment Policy for the Storm Water Utility. The policy provided for Agricultural parcels to receive a reduction in billable area to 5 acres, for a period of 10 years (Section 3.5 of the Rate Adjustment Policy approved on March 5th, 2002); and,
WHEREAS, the Rate Adjustment Policy, now called the Rate Adjustment and Credit Policy, was last revised in 2011 (RES-11-00213); and,
WHEREAS, the purpose of this revision is to account for the Agricultural properties that have received the rate adjustment for 10 years as previously approved, and to establish a more equitable and uniform rate adjustment policy going forward in multiple areas; and,
WHEREAS, the revised adjustment policy continues to allow adjustments for:
i. Direct discharge to major water bodies
ii. Reductions in volumetric discharges to the storm water system
iii. Wetlands
iv. Conservation lands
v. Agricultural lands
vi. Area/Measurement corrections; and,
WHEREAS, the revised adjustment policy expands the available adjustments to include:
i. Areas that do not discharge through or to a drainage system operated or maintained by the City of Madison (generally newly annexed or attached areas);
ii. Multiple properties that are owned by the same entity and have treatment systems on one parcel that affect all the owned parcels;
iii. Adjustments for terrace rain gardens; and,
iv. Adjustments for private green infrastructure installations that affect volume or pollution reductions or both.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Rate Adjustment and Credit Policy attached hereto, as provided by Section 37.05 (4)(d) of the Madison General Ordinances, is hereby revised and approved.