PUBLIC HEARING:  Adopt Ordinance #23-13 Amending Ordinance #22-28:  2023 Schedule of Rates, Fees and Charges

Ordinance #22-28 adopting the 2023 Schedule of Rates, Fees and Charges  was officially adopted on November 22, 2022, after a public hearing was held.  Any revised rates went into effect January 2, 2023.   

At the time of adoption, the water treatment plant (WTP) project had not been awarded and sewer and water utility rates were held constant with 2022 rates until more finalized construction numbers were received.  The  WTP was officially awarded on March 28, 2023 and the respective trunk watermain improvements are proposed to be bid in spring of next year.  The total of the projects is estimated at $42.5M with the funding to come from current water and sewer utility funds and the issuance of a revenue bond whose debt service will be paid by the utility users via utility bill collections.

Sewer charges have also greatly increased in the city for 2023.  Met Council increased its monthly fee it charges the city by 15% (from $82,458 to $94,908/month) and it is proposed to increase another 11% in 2024.

With the respective funding needs for Water and Sewer, staff is proposing a 10% increase for each utility.  This would bring the minimum usage water fee from $43.20 per quarter to $47.52 per quarter and the fixed residential sewer charge from $75.89 per quarter to $83.48 per quarter. 

The proposed rate increases would be implemented on the utility bill distributed for third quarter which is October 25, 2023..  With the later implementation date, the true rate increases for the year will be 5% (half the year at the 2022 rates and half the year at the proposed 10% rate increase).

A summary of neighboring communities and their respective rates for water and sewer is attached to show where the city of Ramsey's proposed utility increases compare.  

Lastly, with the implementation of police body cameras in the spring of 2023, the police department would like to implement A $35.00 per half hour with a minimum of $35.00 for a copy of any body worn camera footage that they need to provide.  This would help to offset the administrative costs of producing that footage.

The proposed rate increases were presented and reviewed at the City Council worksession of May 23, 2023.  This ordinance was introduced by the City Council at their regular meeting of May 23, 2023. 

The public hearing notice was published in the Union/Herald on June 2, 2023. 

1.  Adopt the proposed rates

2.  Hold rates constant with 2022 rates

3.  Recommend changes that arise from input at the public hearing

Staff recommends Option #1. 

Motion to waive the City Charter requirement that the Ordinance be read aloud and adopt Ordinance #23-13 Amending Ordinance #22-28:  2023 Schedule of Rates, Fees and Charges.