City of Monroe, LA

ORDINANCE

STATE OF LOUISIANA                                                                            NO.  12,242               

CITY OF MONROE                                                                                   

The following Ordinance was introduced by Mr.  McFarland                       , who moved for its adoption and was seconded by Mr.  Muhammad                   :

            WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 11,838 (March 27, 2018) amended Section 36-23 of the City of Monroe Code to establish new water rates for consumers and to provide that the water rates automatically be adjusted upward, annually, by the Consumer Price Index, subject to a 4% cap on yearly increases;

            WHEREAS, the City Council desires to amend Section 36-23 to establish current water rates, to repeal and replace automatic, annual adjustments with an annual review process that ensures water rate adjustments are based on the performance of the water system.

            NOW THEREFORE, by the City Council of the City of Monroe, in legal session convened, that Section 36-23 of the Code of Ordinances of Monroe, Louisiana, is hereby amended to read as follows:

Sec. 36-23. Water Rates

(a)   Water rate for consumers shall be:

(1)   For consumers inside the City limits:

(2)   For consumers outside the City limits:

(3)   For consumers qualifying for lifeline rates:

(4)               Water rates shall be reviewed and adjusted annually, as necessary, based on the financial condition of the water system, including its assets and liabilities, and any debt obligations or covenants secured by the water system or its operations.

(b)      The minimum monthly bill amount for all consumers shall be based on the following gallonages:

(c)   The lifeline utility rate may be extended to consumers who are eligible under the following conditions and criteria:

(1)               Only one (1) application per individual is allowed for the lifeline utility water rate.

(2)               The utility water account shall be in the name of the individual owner or renter residing in the residence certifying eligibility for the lifeline utility water rate.

(3)               Only one (1) single family residential utility water meter account shall receive the lifeline utility water rate for each applicant and for each property served.

(4)               Allowed water usage per month for metered account receiving lifeline utility water rate will be up to a maximum of five thousand (5,000) gallons. All usage over five thousand (5,000) gallons will be charged at the current non-lifeline utility water rate.

(5)               The individual shall be or exceed sixty-two (62) years of age at the time of filing or be permanently disabled under guidelines established by the Social Security Administration or Veteran’s Administration.

(6)               In addition to age and/or disability requirement stated above, the individual applicant must meet the income limits set annually by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development ("HUD") concerning eligibility for HUD-assisted housing programs, Section 8.

(7)               Individuals must apply in person for the lifeline utility water rate at Customer Service, Tax and Revenue Division, Department of Administration. The application must be notarized, have attached copies of Social Security Administration or Veteran’s Administration documented-disabilities, financial documents for HUD eligibility, and a copy of driver's licenses or birth certificate.

(8)               Determination of eligibility and renewal shall be made by the director of administration, or his/her designee.

(9)               The application is valid for one (1) calendar year beginning January 1 and ending December 31. All applications are required to be renewed annually and in person prior to January 1st of next year. All lifeline rate applications not renewed by January 15th of the application year will be terminated and revert back to the normal utility water rate.

(10)           Any account holder that is delinquent or has caused the city to write off debts owed by the account holder is not eligible for the lifeline utility water rate.

(11)           Any account that becomes delinquent for more than sixty (60) days will be ruled ineligible for the lifeline utility water rate for the rest of the current year.

(12)           Any abuse or fraud of the lifeline utility water rate will be considered theft of city services and may be prosecuted accordingly.

(d)   Annual report and implementation of new rates.

(1)               An annual report must be submitted by the Mayor, or his designee, to the City Council no later than December 31 of each year, containing the following information:

1.                                                         i.            A statement of the financial condition of the water system, including its assets and liabilities, and any debt obligations or covenants secured by the water system or its operations; and
2.                                                       ii.            The proposed water rate to be implemented, including a certification of the necessity of any proposed increase; and

(2)   Any proposed rate increase shall not exceed 4% of the prior year’s rate unless justified by exceptional circumstances or otherwise required by law or ordinance.

(3)   The City Council shall finally vote on the proposed rate within thirty (30) days after receiving the report, and if Council fails to do so, the proposed rate shall be approved and become effective.

This Ordinance was introduced on September  10th      , 2024.

            Notice published on September  13th          , 2024.

This Ordinance having been submitted in writing, introduced, and published, was then submitted to a vote as a whole, the vote thereon being as follows:

AYES:            Harvey, Ezernack, Woods, McFarland & Muhammad

NAYS:            None.

ABSENT:      None.

And the Ordinance was declared ADOPTED on September  24th        , 2024.

Juanita Woods                       

CHAIRPERSON

Carolus S. Riley                                 

CITY CLERK

Oliver Friday Ellis                             

MAYOR’S APPROVAL

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MAYOR’S VETO