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District staff to return with meter-sizing and hook-on fee analysis after members raise revenue concerns
Summary
Board members asked staff to return next month with a clearer analysis of recent changes to hook-on fees and meter-size billing for commercial and industrial customers, and operations staff reported adequate spare parts and quieter maintenance after recent equipment upgrades.
Board members raised concerns about how the district's hook-on fees are being calculated and the revenue effect of charging by meter size rather than equivalent dwelling units (EDUs) for commercial and industrial customers. The board asked staff to bring a written analysis and supporting documents to the next meeting for review.
Jeff and other staff described that the district's billing approach had been set to meter-size for industrial and commercial users, which several members said can substantially reduce billed amounts compared with charging by equivalent dwelling units. One board member said the difference could materially reduce collections for large-volume users and urged staff to return with a detailed calculation and a copy of the adopted billing scale for comparison. Marvin expressed disagreement with aspects of the description during the discussion; staff agreed to prepare a handout and present the method and sample calculations at the next meeting.
On operations, Jeff reported that recent investments in grinders and permanent pumps had reduced maintenance calls. He said the district now has two pumps at each station and an extra grinder available, and that newer pump installations had not required frequent deragging. Board members noted that spare-part coverage appears adequate for now and thanked staff for the work.
The board set a follow-up: staff will provide the meter-sizing/hook-on fee documentation and sample calculations at the next regular meeting so members can review the revenue implications and proposed charging method.
