CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
title
AN ORDINANCE relating to wastewater and drainage services of Seattle Public Utilities; adjusting wastewater and drainage rates to pass through increased treatment costs charged by King County; amending Sections 21.28.040 and 21.33.030 of the Seattle Municipal Code to reflect the adjusted rates; amending Section 21.76.040 of the Seattle Municipal Code to adjust credits to low-income wastewater and drainage customers; and amending Section 21.33.050 of the Seattle Municipal Code to revise drainage service charge adjustment procedures.
body
WHEREAS, Seattle Public Utilities’ wastewater and drainage rates are based on the sum of the treatment rate and system rate for each utility and are designed to pass through the wastewater and drainage shares of the rates King County charges for its wastewater treatment services as part of the treatment rate applicable to each utility; and
WHEREAS, Ordinances 1248201 and 124800 established for 2017-2018 Seattle Public Utilities’ wastewater volume rate and drainage rates based on the existing King County wastewater treatment charge of $42.03; and
WHEREAS, King County adopted a new wastewater treatment rate of $44.22 per residential customer equivalent per month effective January 1, 2017, which is an increase of more than 5 percent over the existing treatment rate; and
WHEREAS, subsections 21.28.040.B.1 and 21.33.030.D.1 of the Seattle Municipal Code allow the treatment rates of each utility to be adjusted by ordinance at any time in response to changes in the King County wastewater rates; and
WHEREAS, Seattle Public Utilities’ 2017 and 2018 wastewater and drainage treatment rates will not provide sufficient revenues to pay the increased King County treatment costs; and
WHEREAS, wastewater and drainage credits for qualified low-income customers, not billed directly by Seattle Public Utilities, are based on typical residential bills, and credits for such customers need to be revised to reflect the changes in the wastewater and drainage rates; and
WHEREAS, the billing of adjustments to drainage service charges is currently inconsistent with adjustment practices for wastewater and other Seattle Public Utilities utility charges, NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 1. Subsection 21.28.040.B of the Seattle Municipal Code, which section was last amended by Ordinance 124800, is amended as follows:
21.28.040 Wastewater volume charge
* * *
B. The wastewater volume rate shall be the sum of the treatment rate and the system rate, as follows:
1. Treatment rate. The "treatment rate" shall be the rate required to pay the wastewater share of "treatment cost," which is the cost of wastewater treatment, interception and disposal services, and any associated costs required to meet Drainage and Wastewater Fund financial policies. The treatment rate shall be the amount obtained when (a) the projected wastewater treatment cost is divided by (b) the projected billed wastewater consumption, each for the next calendar year, and the result is multiplied by ((116.9)) 117.8 percent in 2017 and 117.0 percent in 2018 and thereafter to cover the costs of taxes and low-income rate assistance. The projected treatment cost shall be the treatment cost anticipated for the upcoming calendar year, which may include an adjustment to reflect the difference, whether positive or negative, between the total expected treatment cost for the current year and the total wastewater volume charge revenues attributable to the treatment rate expected for the current year. The treatment rate is designed to pass through cost changes driven by King County and may be adjusted by ordinance at any time in response to such charges.
2. System rate. The “system rate” shall be the rate required to pay the cost of carrying and discharging all wastewater and any wastewater-funded share of stormwater into the City sewerage system, as presently maintained and operated and as may be added to, improved, and extended.
3. The wastewater volume rate per CCF shall be in accordance with the following schedule:
|
|
Effective Jan. 1, 2015 |
Effective Jan. 1, 2016 |
Effective Jan. 1, 2017 |
Effective Jan. 1, 2018 |
|
Treatment Rate |
$7.69 |
$7.69 |
(($7.69)) $8.34 |
(($7.69)) $8.34 |
|
System Rate |
$4.15 |
$4.58 |
$4.59 |
$4.74 |
|
Wastewater Volume Rate |
$11.84 |
$12.27 |
(($12.28)) $12.93 |
(($12.43)) $13.08 |
* * *
Section 2. Subsection 21.33.030.D of the Seattle Municipal Code, which section was last amended by Ordinance 124801, is amended as follows:
21.33.030 Drainage service charges and drainage rates - Schedule - Exemptions
* * *
D. Drainage rates used in the calculation of drainage service charges shall be the sum of the treatment rate and the system rate, as follows:
1. Treatment rate. The "treatment rate" shall be the rate required to pay the drainage share of "treatment cost" which is the cost of wastewater treatment, interception and disposal service, and any associated costs necessary to meet Drainage and Wastewater Fund policies. The treatment rate shall be the amount obtained when (a) the projected drainage treatment cost for each rate category is divided by (b) the projected number of billing units in each rate category and the result is multiplied by 118 percent to cover the costs of taxes, low income rate assistance, and other allowances. The projected treatment cost shall be the treatment cost anticipated for the upcoming calendar year, which may include an adjustment to reflect the difference, whether positive or negative, between the drainage share of expected total treatment cost for the current year and the total drainage service charge revenues attributable to the treatment rate expected for the current year. The treatment rate is designed to pass through cost changes driven by King County and may be adjusted by ordinance at any time in response to such charges.
2. System rate. The "system rate" shall be the rate required to fund the expense associated with operating, maintaining, and constructing the City's surface and stormwater management system, including any share of combined sanitary and stormwater system expense assigned to drainage.
3. The rate categories and the corresponding annual drainage rates are as follows:
((Effective January 1, 2015
|
Rate Category |
Treatment Rate |
System Rate |
Total Drainage Rate |
Billing Unit |
|
Small Residential |
|
|
Under 3000 sq. ft. |
$18.90 |
$179.93 |
$198.83 |
per parcel |
|
|
3000-4999 sq. ft |
$24.79 |
$233.27 |
$258.06 |
per parcel |
|
|
5000-6999 sq. ft |
$33.73 |
$316.67 |
$350.40 |
per parcel |
|
|
7000-9999 sq. ft. |
$42.65 |
$400.90 |
$443.55 |
per parcel |
|
General Service/Large Residential |
|
Undeveloped |
(0-15% impervious) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular |
$2.85 |
$25.40 |
$28.25 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
|
Low Impact |
$1.66 |
$14.88 |
$16.54 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
Light |
(16-35% impervious) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular |
$4.27 |
$39.41 |
$43.69 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
|
Low Impact |
$3.35 |
$31.01 |
$34.36 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
Moderate |
(36-65% impervious) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular |
$6.09 |
$57.36 |
$63.45 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
|
Low Impact |
$4.92 |
$46.12 |
$51.04 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
Heavy |
(66-85% impervious) |
$8.10 |
$77.03 |
$85.12 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
Very Heavy |
(86-100% impervious) |
$9.53 |
$91.16 |
$100.69 |
per 1000 Sq Ft)) |
Effective January 1, 2016
|
Rate Category |
Treatment Rate |
System Rate |
Total Drainage Rate |
Billing Unit |
|
Small Residential |
|
|
Under 2000 sq. ft. |
$12.37 |
$111.44 |
$123.81 |
per parcel |
|
|
2000-2999 sq. ft |
$18.90 |
$188.03 |
$206.93 |
per parcel |
|
|
3000-4999 sq. ft |
$24.79 |
$261.84 |
$286.63 |
per parcel |
|
|
5000-6999 sq. ft |
$33.73 |
$356.30 |
$390.03 |
per parcel |
|
|
7000-9999 sq. ft. |
$42.65 |
$448.75 |
$491.40 |
per parcel |
|
General Service/Large Residential |
|
Undeveloped |
(0-15% impervious) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular |
$2.85 |
$28.39 |
$31.24 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
|
Low Impact |
$1.66 |
$16.91 |
$18.57 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
Light |
(16-35% impervious) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular |
$4.27 |
$44.25 |
$48.52 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
|
Low Impact |
$3.35 |
$34.96 |
$38.31 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
Moderate |
(36-65% impervious) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular |
$6.09 |
$64.58 |
$70.67 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
|
Low Impact |
$4.92 |
$52.29 |
$57.21 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
Heavy |
(66-85% impervious) |
$8.10 |
$85.46 |
$93.56 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
Very Heavy |
(86-100% impervious) |
$9.53 |
$102.85 |
$112.38 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
Effective January 1, 2017
|
Rate Category |
Treatment Rate |
System Rate |
Total Drainage Rate |
Billing Unit |
|
Small Residential |
|
|
Under 2000 sq. ft. |
(($12.37)) $13.68 |
$126.78 |
(($139.15)) $140.46 |
per parcel |
|
|
2000-2999 sq. ft |
(($18.90)) $20.79 |
$210.68 |
(($229.58)) $231.47 |
per parcel |
|
|
3000-4999 sq. ft |
(($24.79)) $30.21 |
$288.84 |
(($313.63)) $319.05 |
per parcel |
|
|
5000-6999 sq. ft |
(($33.73)) $41.20 |
$391.25 |
(($424.98)) $432.45 |
per parcel |
|
|
7000-9999 sq. ft. |
(($42.65)) $52.04 |
$491.94 |
(($534.59)) $543.98 |
per parcel |
|
General Service/Large Residential |
|
Undeveloped |
(0-15% impervious) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular |
(($2.85)) $3.37 |
$31.39 |
(($34.24)) $34.76 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
|
Low Impact |
(($1.66)) $1.98 |
$18.69 |
(($20.35)) $20.67 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
Light |
(16-35% impervious) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular |
(($4.27)) $5.17 |
$48.37 |
(($52.64)) $53.54 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
|
Low Impact |
(($3.35)) $4.07 |
$38.19 |
(($41.54)) $42.26 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
Moderate |
(36-65% impervious) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular |
(($6.09)) $7.48 |
$70.12 |
(($76.12)) $77.60 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
|
Low Impact |
(($4.92)) $6.05 |
$56.81 |
(($61.73)) $62.86 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
Heavy |
(66-85% impervious) |
(($8.10)) $9.87 |
$92.61 |
(($100.71)) $102.48 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
Very Heavy |
(86-100% impervious) |
(($9.53)) $11.83 |
$111.11 |
(($120.64)) $122.94 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
Effective January 1, 2018
|
Rate Category |
Treatment Rate |
System Rate |
Total Drainage Rate |
Billing Unit |
|
Small Residential |
|
|
Under 2000 sq. ft. |
(($12.37)) $13.75 |
$141.28 |
(($153.65)) $155.03 |
per parcel |
|
|
2000-2999 sq. ft |
(($18.90)) $20.90 |
$231.22 |
(($250.12)) $252.12 |
per parcel |
|
|
3000-4999 sq. ft |
(($24.79)) $30.38 |
$315.40 |
(($340.19)) $345.78 |
per parcel |
|
|
5000-6999 sq. ft |
(($33.73)) $41.43 |
$425.42 |
(($459.15)) $466.85 |
per parcel |
|
|
7000-9999 sq. ft. |
(($42.65)) $52.33 |
$533.98 |
(($576.63)) $586.31 |
per parcel |
|
General Service/Large Residential |
|
Undeveloped |
(0-15% impervious) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular |
(($2.85)) $3.39 |
$34.26 |
(($37.11)) $37.65 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
|
Low Impact |
(($1.66)) $1.99 |
$20.40 |
(($22.06)) $22.39 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
Light |
(16-35% impervious) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular |
(($4.27)) $5.20 |
$52.31 |
(($56.58)) $57.51 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
|
Low Impact |
(($3.35)) $4.09 |
$41.29 |
(($44.64)) $45.38 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
Moderate |
(36-65% impervious) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Regular |
(($6.09)) $7.52 |
$75.44 |
(($81.53)) $82.96 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
|
Low Impact |
(($4.92)) $6.09 |
$61.17 |
(($66.09)) $67.26 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
Heavy |
(66-85% impervious) |
(($8.10)) $9.92 |
$99.37 |
(($107.47)) $109.29 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
|
Very Heavy |
(86-100% impervious) |
(($9.53)) $11.89 |
$119.03 |
(($128.56)) $130.92 |
per 1000 Sq Ft |
4. SPU shall provide a 10 percent reduction in the drainage service charge for parcels containing new or remodeled commercial buildings that, after July 27, 2003, install and utilize rainwater harvesting systems that meet the performance requirement that the systems are sized to use the amount of rain that falls on the roofs of such buildings during a one year, 24-hour storm event. A system that involves indoor uses of rainwater must be permitted by Seattle-King County Department of Health to qualify for the rate reduction. A system that relies solely on the capture and indoor use of rainwater shall qualify for the drainage service charge reduction only if the system is sized to meet the performance requirement stated above. Qualifying for the drainage service charge reduction does not relieve the property owner from the obligation to comply with applicable stormwater and drainage code requirements for the buildings and site.
5. Effective ((on the effective date of this ordinance)) November 7, 2008, open space properties or parcels shall be charged only for the area of impervious surface and at the rate under which the parcel is classified using the total parcel acreage.
* * *
Section 3. Subsection 21.76.040.A of the Seattle Municipal Code, which section was last amended by Ordinance 125050, is amended as follows:
21.76.040 Rate discounts
A. Drainage, wastewater, and water. Certified low-income residential utility customers ("Certified customers") will receive rate discounts (or credits) in the following amounts:
1. Wastewater. Certified customers billed directly for Seattle Public Utilities wastewater services will receive a rate discount equal to 0.5 times the total current wastewater volume charge. Certified customers who pay for wastewater services indirectly through rent shall receive the following rate credits based on dwelling type and consistent with Section 21.76.050:
|
Effective date |
Single-family and duplex dwellings |
Multifamily dwellings |
|
January 1, 2016 |
$26.38 per month |
$18.41 per month |
|
January 1, 2017 |
$((26.40))27.80 per month |
$((18.42))19.40 per month |
|
January 1, 2018 |
$((26.72))28.12 per month |
$((18.65))19.62 per month |
At the time of a change to the wastewater volume charge described in Section 21.28.040, the Director of Seattle Public Utilities shall calculate new credits for certified customers who pay for wastewater services indirectly through rent. The rate credit for single-family and duplex customers shall be 0.5 times the wastewater volume charge multiplied by 430 cubic feet (4.3 CCF), which is typical single-family residential sewer billed consumption. The rate credit for multifamily dwelling customers shall be 0.5 times the wastewater volume charge multiplied by 3.0 CCF, which is typical multifamily sewer billed consumption.
2. Drainage. Certified customers residing inside The City of Seattle shall receive the following rate credits for drainage services based on dwelling type:
|
|
Effective January 1, 2016 |
Effective January 1, 2017 |
Effective January 1, 2018 |
|
Single-family |
$16.25 per month |
$((17.71))18.02 per month |
$((19.13))19.45 per month |
|
Duplex |
$8.13 per month |
$((8.85))9.01 per month |
$((9.57))9.73 per month |
|
Multifamily |
$1.74 per month |
$((1.89))1.93 per month |
$((2.05))2.08 per month |
3. Water. Certified customers billed directly for Seattle Public Utilities water services shall receive a rate discount equal to 0.5 times the total current commodity and base service charges. Certified customers who pay for water services indirectly through their rent shall receive the following rate credits based on dwelling type and consistent with Section 21.76.050:
|
Effective Date |
Single-family and duplex dwellings |
Multifamily dwellings |
|
January 1, 2016 |
$19.84 per month |
$12.38 per month |
|
January 1, 2017 |
$20.56 per month |
$12.38 per month |
* * *
Section 4. Subsections 21.33.050.D and E of the Seattle Municipal Code, which section was last amended by Ordinance 124833, are amended as follows:
21.33.050 Drainage service charges - Adjustments.
* * *
((D. Applications for adjustment must be filed within 90 days of the billing date, except for the low-income credit, which shall be administered as defined in Seattle Municipal Code Section 21.76.030. Applications received after 90 days of the billing date shall be effective for subsequent years only.))
((E.)) D. If the Utility grants an adjustment which reduces the charge ((for the current year)), the applicant shall receive an adjusted bill or be refunded the amount overpaid. If the Utility determines that an adjustment should be made which increases the charge due for the current year, the applicant shall receive a supplemental bill that will be due within 45 days of the date of issue. Applicants for rate adjustments shall be notified in writing of the Utility's decision.
Section 5. This ordinance does not affect any existing right acquired or liability or obligation incurred under the sections amended or repealed in this ordinance or under any rule or order adopted under those sections, nor does it affect any proceeding instituted under those sections.
Section 6. The provisions of this ordinance are declared to be separate and severable. If a court of competent jurisdiction, all appeals having been exhausted or all appeal periods having run, finds any provision of this ordinance to be invalid or unenforceable as to any person or circumstance, then such provision or provisions shall be null and severed from the rest of this ordinance with respect to the particular person or circumstance. The offending provision with respect to all other persons and all other circumstances, as well as all other provisions of this ordinance, shall remain valid and enforceable.
Section 7. Section 1 of this ordinance shall take effect January 1, 2017.
Section 8. This ordinance shall take effect and be in force 30 days after its approval by the Mayor, but if not approved and returned by the Mayor within ten days after presentation, it shall take effect as provided by Seattle Municipal Code Section 1.04.020.
Passed by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2016, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its passage this _____ day of _________________________, 2016.
____________________________________
President ____________ of the City Council
Approved by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2016.
____________________________________
Edward B. Murray, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2016.
____________________________________
Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)