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<br />September 14. 2010 <br /> <br />Background: <br />. In accordance with previously adopted ordinances enacting rate changes for <br />water and sewer consumption, the City has not prorated utility bills for consumption that <br />occurred prior to the rate change effective date of July 1 but billed after July 1. <br />. The City staggers its utility billing over 60 day consumption cycles, therefore, <br />utility customers' bills cross fiscal years and have been subject to the rate effective July <br />1 of the new fiscal year. <br />. This has been the consistent standard practice of the City for at least the past 50 <br />years. <br />. City Council desires to change this policy and provide for a method of prorating <br />the charges for water and sewer consumption that occurred prior to the rate change <br />effective date of July 1, 2010 and thereafter. <br />. At its Public Work Session on August 24, 2010, City Council indicated its desire <br />to implement this change retroactively to July 1, 2010. <br /> <br />Discussion: <br />. This new City Council policy will provide for proration of water bills in conjunction <br />with utility rate changes. The proposed ordinance will amend the previously adopted <br />rate change Ordinance (Ordinance No. 2010-37) and provide proration as of July 1, <br />2010. As a result of this change in policy, future rate change ordinances will also <br />provide for proration. <br />. Proration will be based on an average daily usage. <br /> <br />Financial Impact: <br />. Adoption of this ordinance will impact the Public Utility Fund by approximately <br />$150,000 through the issuance of appropriate credits to each utility customer that has <br />been billed at the July 1, 2010 rate for consumption that occurred prior to July. Included <br />in this $150,000 estimate, is approximately $8,500 in utility taxes that are a part of the <br />General Fund. <br /> <br />Recommended Action: <br />. Adoption of proposed ordinance. Vision Principles: A Robust and Prospering <br />Economy and Thriving Neighborhoods and a Sense of Community. <br /> <br />Next Steps following City Council Action: <br />. Credits will be issued to all customers based upon their individual consumption <br />occurring prior to July 1, 2010. <br />. Future rate change ordinances will include language implementing proration. <br /> <br />Motion by Ms. Psi mas, and seconded by Mr. Whitehurst, to adopt the following <br />ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: <br /> <br />"ORDINANCE TO AMEND CITY ORDINANCE NO. 2010-37 PERTAINING TO RATES <br />FOR WATER AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL SERVICES." <br /> <br />Ayes: Cherry, Moody, Psi mas, Whitehurst, Griffin <br />Nays: None <br /> <br />10 - 420 - Adoption of a resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a Mutual Aid <br />Agreement and future agreements between the City of Portsmouth and the U.S. Coast <br />Guard. Vision Principle: Bold New Directions. <br /> <br />Background: <br />. Since 1989 the Portsmouth Police Department has operated under an existing, <br />though dated, Mutual Aid Agreement with the U. S. Coast Guard to authorize inter- <br />jurisdictional assistance and cooperation. The proposed agreement at the behest of the <br />currently assigned U. S. Coast Guard Commanding Officer merely updates the prior <br />1989 agreement. <br />