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Council approves amendment to reclaimed water rate study, expands scope to purple-pipe irrigation
Summary
Council authorized Amendment 4 to an FCS utility rate study to add reclaimed ('purple-pipe') irrigation and update wastewater, solid waste and utility rate projections; staff said using the incumbent consultant would be more efficient than rebidding because prior data already exists.
The council voted to approve an amendment to a city utility rate study that will add reclaimed water (purple-pipe) irrigation to the consultant’s scope.
Todd, a public-works staff member, explained that the city had previously contracted FCS for water, light and wastewater studies and that Amendment 4 would let FCS apply existing data to produce an updated 5-year projection and a defensible basis for any new rates. "We just want FCS to kinda weigh in to see if we're still in check with the rates and provide that small study," Todd said.
Council members asked whether the earlier amendments covered the same ground and whether adding the reclaimed water work required rebidding; staff said the earlier work covered similar data and that using FCS would be more efficient and typically lower cost than issuing a new procurement. The motion to approve the amendment carried by voice vote.
The approved scope includes analysis of current domestic usage and cost operations for purple-pipe service to help set rates for irrigation customers (schools, parks) and to assess how an associated loan could affect wastewater rates. The council directed staff to proceed with the amendment and report back as the study progresses.
