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Bonita Springs Utilities proposes tariff updates, new mobile-home/RV rate class in first reading
Summary
City staff and a Bonita Springs Utilities representative presented a first reading of an ordinance to update various aid‑in‑new‑construction and miscellaneous charges, to add a mobile‑home/RV rate class and to add fees for larger backflow inspections and high‑strength wastewater surcharges; the ordinance returns for a second reading.
Council heard a first reading of an ordinance required under the city's franchise and charter to adopt Bonita Springs Utilities (BSU) tariff updates.
A BSU representative summarized a full rate study prepared with the city's rate consultant and said monthly usage rates for residential customers will not change. The proposed ordinance would increase certain ‘aid in new construction’ fees, adjust miscellaneous service charges, create an RV/mobile‑home rate class intended to reflect half the base of a single‑family residence in appropriate meter arrangements, and add a modest annual backflow inspection fee for larger backflow devices.
On backflow maintenance, staff said the utility would take on inspection and maintenance responsibility for backflows larger than 2 inches to centralize records and improve regulatory compliance; staff proposed an $85 annual inspection fee with repair/replacement charges only if testing indicated need. The presentation also identified a potential high‑strength wastewater surcharge for users exceeding the sewer‑use policy limits (fats, oils, grease, TSS) with charges to be based on sampling.
Council members asked whether mobile‑home rates would decrease and whether the changes affected monthly usage rates; staff confirmed the monthly usage rates would remain unchanged and that mobile‑home unit charges per properly metered unit would generally be lower. There was no final vote at first reading; staff noted a corrected page in the packet and that the item will return for the required second reading.
