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Resolution 23-22

The City of Monticello, Iowa

IN THE NAME AND BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, IOWA

RESOLUTION NO. 2023-22

Approving the City of Monticello Sewer Credit Policy in regard to granting credits to sewage usage fees

WHEREAS, the City of Monticello provides water and sewer services to the citizens of Monticello, same representing one of the primary functions of the City, and

WHEREAS, the Council, by approval of Ordinance #747, dated August 2, 2021, approved that sewer fees are calculated based on water consumed and increased the sewage rate, and

WHEREAS, the Council had previously approved a Policy to grant credits to sewer usage fees, with Resolution #13-07, dated January 7, 2013, based on the former rates.  

WHEREAS, the Council has been presented with a number of requests for a credit against the sewer portion of resident’s utility billings based upon the argument/position that not all of the water entered the sewer system and was not, therefore, treated at the Monticello Treatment Facility, and

WHEREAS, the Council finds it to be necessary and appropriate to update the policy to which the Council and the Citizens may look to when considering a credit request.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MONTICELLO, IOWA:

The following conditions shall be met and / or considered by the citizen when requesting a sewer usage fee credit and City Staff and the City Council when considering a submitted sewer usage fee credit request:

  1. A determination must be made by City staff that the water usage on which the sewer fees were based, and for which a credit is requested, did not enter the sanitary sewer system.  If it cannot be determined with a relative degree of certainty by staff, then a credit will not be considered.
  1. The sewer usage credit can only be considered in the event of a break or a malfunction and staff shall make a determination, to a relative degree of certainty, that a break or malfunction caused the water usage for which the credit is being requested.
  1.  If a credit is deemed appropriate, it shall only be granted if the credit, as calculated by City Staff, exceeds $100.00.
  1. In no event shall any credit exceed $1,500.00, regardless of staff’s calculations.
  1. No person shall be granted a credit against their sewer bill more than once.
  1. No household, while under the ownership of the same person or persons shall be granted a credit more than once.
  1. A married couple shall be entitled to one credit.
  1. If a person, previously married, had been granted a credit or the persons spouse had been granted a credit while they were married, they shall only be eligible for another credit if the credit is generated at a property that was not in the ownership or possession of the person during the marriage.
  1. The City Council shall have ultimate authority to grant or deny a credit request and to interpret this policy.  The Council may, in their sole discretion, grant or deny a credit even if the circumstances suggest that a credit should or should not be granted, and the decision of the Council is final and not subject to challenge.

PASSED AND APPROVED this 6th day of February, 2023.

David Goedken, Mayor         

ATTEST:

Sally Hinrichsen, City Clerk/Treasurer