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City explains sewer-billing math and automatic 20% summer sewer-tier discount
Summary
City staff walked commissioners through utility bills, explained why sewer charges rise with outdoor water use and said the city automatically applies a 20% discount to stepped sewer tiers from May 1–Sept. 30 on all residential bills; leak adjustments and a second irrigation meter were described as options.
Enid utility staff on Tuesday demonstrated how residential water, sewer, stormwater and trash charges appear on city bills and reiterated a long-standing automatic 20% discount on stepped sewer tiers during summer months.
Scott Morris, introduced in a pre-recorded video as the utility services manager, and Kelly Monkris, who the presentation identified as the current utility services manager, guided commissioners through typical bill items — meter number, prior and current reads, consumption measured in thousands, and separate charges for water, sewer, sewer improvement, stormwater and trash. Monkris pointed to the flat residential stormwater fee ($5.89) and the basic trash charge ($16), and noted extra cart pickups or green-cart services add small fees.
Monkris said the sewer and sewer-improvement charges are based on water consumption recorded by the water meter. "When that water consumption goes up those rates go up as well," she said, and explained how the city bills in 1,000‑unit increments. She told the commission the system automatically applies a 20% discount to the stepped increase on sewer tiers from May 1 through Sept. 30 to offset outdoor irrigation and pool filling; "it's already automatically on your bill," Monkris said.
Staff described the city's leak-adjustment policy: sewer charges may be reduced when a customer documents an outdoor line leak or line break with a plumbing invoice, because that water did not enter the sewer system. Monkris said internal household leaks (for example, toilet leaks) are not eligible for sewer adjustments.
The presentation reiterated common staff recommendations: customers who irrigate extensively or fill pools can consider a second, dedicated irrigation meter that would not carry sewer charges, and the city will post clearer billing-rate breakdowns online and on the back of billing statements to help customers compare months and confirm the discount.
The explanation came after commissioners asked residents had seen online "chatter" and confusion about whether they were receiving the summer discount; staff said the discount is applied automatically and customers do not need to request it.
No formal action was required; the session was informational.
