Subject:
Title
Consider amending and re-enacting Section 7-2-10 - Separate Water Meters Required for Each Building; exceptions, of the Code of Ordinances, City of Harrisonburg, Virginia
Body
Presented By: Mike Collins, director of Public Utilities
Recommendation and Review
The proposed ordinance expands the exceptions to the general requirement that each building on City water have a separate water meter to include situations where there are multiple residential and multi-use buildings on one lot under single ownership and certain other criteria are met. The proposed ordinance requires that when multiple buildings on a single lot are permitted to be served by one meter, a “Connection Fee” for that meter must be paid. Additionally, the customer must pay a “Capital Recovery Fee” for each unit served by the meter. “Connection Fee” and “Capital Recovery Fee” are defined in a proposed amended and restated Section 7-4-22, which sets connection fees for water lines and meters and sewer laterals. The goal of this new Section 7-2-10 is to allow a customer to pay the City’s cost for the appropriate meter for the water connection, but also pay a Capital Recovery Fee as a contribution to the capital and maintenance costs required to operate the City’s water system. This will provide a financial benefit to the customer by only having to pay for one meter but protect the financial viability of the water system and provide a more equitable distribution of the water system’s ongoing capital cost. Including residential units in the exceptions will encourage higher density residential developments in the City.
On May 9, 2023 Council reviewed the amendments, some additional edits have been made, and are attached, for Council’s approval. This will be considered the second reading.