Chapter 13.32
RATES AND CHARGES*
Sections:
13.32.025 Water rate – Inside the city limits and state park facilities.
13.32.030 Billing and collection procedures.
13.32.060 Monthly rate – Naval Air Station.
13.32.075 Water rate – Premises beyond city limits.
13.32.083 Master meter connections (water utility district charges).
13.32.115 Certificate of occupancy.
*Prior legislation: Ords. 403, 495, 515, 522, 570, 622, 721, 803, 812 and 941.
13.32.005 Water utility fund.
Fund #401, Water Fund, is hereby denominated the water utility fund, which is to be used in the operation of the water utility. All water service and water connection charges shall be deposited in this fund, to be used only for the purpose of paying all or any part of the cost and expense of providing water utility services, or to pay or secure the payment of all or any portion of any issue of general obligation or revenue bond issued for such purpose. The water service charges shall be established by ordinance. (Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010).
13.32.010 Connection charge.
(1) A connection charge shall be levied upon any customer prior to connection with city water service. The connection charge shall be the actual cost of installation. An initial sum, based on the cost estimated by the water superintendent, or his or her designee, must be paid in advance of service installation. Upon completion of the connection, the actual cost will be determined and if this amount is greater than the initial estimate, the customer will be billed for the balance. If the actual cost is less than estimated, the overpayment will be refunded to the customer. The actual cost of an installation shall include all labor, equipment and material, plus a charge for overhead as set in the utility rate ordinance.
(2) For water connections outside the city limits of Oak Harbor, a surcharge of 50 percent will be added to the charges specified above for the extra costs involved in working beyond the normal service area. (Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 973 § 1, 1994).
13.32.025 Water rate – Inside the city limits and state park facilities.
(1) Water Service Charge. A water service charge shall be levied on all water customers. The water service charge shall consist of an administrative charge for service, also termed a “monthly ready to serve charge,” a consumption charge for actual use, and a monthly charge for sprinkler systems, if any.
(a) Administrative Charge. The administrative charge for water supplied by the city to single-family residential, commercial and industrial customers inside the city limits and state park facilities shall be based on the number and size of the meter(s) serving the customer. A multifamily residential administrative charge shall apply to each meter serving a premises authorized for two or more dwelling units pursuant to a certificate of occupancy. The administrative charge for service to a multifamily residential meter shall be based upon the number of dwelling units served by the meter less a factor reflecting administrative savings due to single meter usage.
(b) Consumption Charge. The consumption charge shall be based on the quantity of water used and shall increase according to a schedule established by the utility rate ordinance.
(c) Sprinkler System Charge. The monthly charge for sprinkler systems, if any, shall be a flat rate based upon the cost of service of sprinkler systems to the water utility.
(2) Rates to Be Set in the Utility Rate Ordinance. The water service charge shall be set in accordance with the policies and requirements of this chapter in the utility rate ordinance. The utility rate ordinance should be reviewed annually to ensure that it properly reflects the costs of service, operation, maintenance and construction of the water utility services. (Ord. 1899 § 1, 2020; Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 1529 § 1, 2008; Ord. 1492 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1452 § 1, 2006; Ord. 1418 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1306 § 1, 2002; Ord. 1292 § 1, 2001; Ord. 1258 § 1, 2001; Ord. 1240 § 1, 2000; Ord. 1228 § 1, 2000; Ord. 1201 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1192 § 1, 1999; Ord. 1130 § 1, 1998).
13.32.030 Billing and collection procedures.
Billing and collection procedures for the utility shall be as provided in this title and OHMC Title 3 and under state law as now in effect or hereafter amended. (Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 1348 § 21, 2003).
13.32.060 Monthly rate – Naval Air Station.
(1) The charge for water consumed by the Naval Air Station shall be determined by agreement between the city and the U.S. Navy and shall be reflected in the utility rate ordinance. (Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 973 § 1, 1994).
13.32.075 Water rate – Premises beyond city limits.
The water service charge for customers residing outside the city limits shall be one and one-half times the rate charged for the similar water service established by the utility rate ordinance. (Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 1130 § 2, 1998).
13.32.083 Master meter connections (water utility district charges).
(1) The administrative charge for master meter connections (water service connections to water districts) shall be based upon meter size.
(2) The administrative charge and water usage will be charged at one and one-half times the rate for in-city non-single-family residential customers for equivalent water usage. (Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 1130 § 3, 1998).
13.32.085 Construction.
During the construction of any building and before water is installed as provided in this title, as amended, the contractor so constructing such building may be permitted to use the city water supply by making application therefor pursuant to OHMC 3.95.040 and paying the charges prescribed by the utility rate ordinance. (Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 1130 § 6, 1998; Ord. 973 § 1, 1994).
13.32.115 Certificate of occupancy.
No water shall be turned on for service in any premises for which a certificate of occupancy has not been obtained, in advance, from the city building department; provided, that water may be turned on for construction work in unfinished buildings, subject to the provisions of OHMC 13.32.085. (Ord. 1584 § 1, 2010; Ord. 973 § 1, 1994).