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Council to revise code so builders pay actual meter costs after staff flags $375 shortfall for 3/4- and 1-inch meters
Summary
Staff alerted the council that the code currently includes meter cost in the connection fee for 3/4 and 1-inch meters, but meter hardware costs about $975 while the connection fee is $600 (sewer $400). Council directed staff to draft ordinance language to charge 'plus the cost of the meter' rather than locking in a flat embedded charge.
City staff told the council that ordinance section 2.121 (dating to 1999) currently includes the meter cost in the water connection fee for 3/4- and 1-inch meters, but the actual meter-plus-accessories cost is about $975 while the existing water connection fee for those meter sizes is $600 (sewer $400). Because the meter costs have risen, staff said the city is not recouping the meter cost on smaller residential connections.
The finance officer proposed amending the code to require the connection fee to be the connection amount "plus the cost of the meter and accessories," and raised an optional 10% upcharge for staff time. Several council members opposed adding the upcharge, citing housing affordability and that city employees are already funded by tax dollars. Council asked staff to draft the ordinance amendment and bring a first reading back at the next meeting. The finance officer said he will add language to change the ordinance for 3/4- and 1-inch meters to 'plus the cost of the meter.'
