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Council hears staff proposal to allow case‑by‑case disconnects for unused water and sewer taps
Summary
City staff explained municipal code requirements that continue service charges when a structure remains and asked council whether to allow property owners to abandon taps and stop base charges; council directed staff to create an application and review cases individually for now.
Monte Vista — The council heard a detailed staff presentation about city rules that keep water and sewer service charges active so long as a building remains connected to city utilities, and staff asked whether the council wants a policy to allow property owners to abandon taps and stop base monthly charges.
Public Works staff read the municipal code, section 10‑2‑20, which says utility service charges "shall be due and payable as long as a house or business is connected to the service regardless of whether it is vacant or occupied" and that service may be discontinued "only for properties on which such buildings are torn down or removed from the premises." Staff said the current code places the onus on council to approve tap abandonment on a case‑by‑case basis.
The director explained that several residents—often elderly or on fixed incomes—have asked to abandon taps to avoid recurring base charges, which staff said can total roughly $100 a month when water, sewer and related charges are combined. The cost for Public Works to physically disconnect a tap and pull a meter was estimated at about $500. Staff also proposed an administrative disconnect fee of $100 and a $100 application fee in a potential application process.
Councilors discussed options including a case‑by‑case application process, a formal ordinance change, or treating water and sewer only as a business revenue stream. Several councilors favored a case‑by‑case approach while the city drafts a formal application and checklist so staff can present individual files to council for decision rather than holding a public hearing for each case.
Nut graf: The council did not change ordinance language at the meeting but instructed staff to prepare an application and checklist so council can review disconnect requests individually. Staff noted the city must balance revenue collection and redevelopment goals against hardship for property owners who cannot afford ongoing base charges.
Next steps: Public Works will produce an application form and checklist for council review. Staff said property owners who choose to abandon taps will pay the utility’s disconnection cost and any administrative fees, and reconnection would require paying the then‑current tap fees.
