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7B Page 2 City needs to increase oversight and cantral of backflow installation and testing, and has therefore been working #oward impfemen#ation of its own Cross Cannection Control Program. Staff believes that increased oversight, accountability and control of the Program wiil better serve the community and will further profect the pub{ic water system from confamination through backflow. An impartant first step in reaching this goal is ta update tt�� existir�g �rdir��r�c� an backflow protection to incorporate, amang otf7er things, Titte 17 of the Califomia Code, requirements for backftow assembly testers, fees and penalties. The proposed Cross Connection Control Ordinance ensures that the City wi!! remain consistent wi#h the California Wa#er Code and improve staff ability to ensure the maximum protection of the public water supply. The ordinance esfablishes penalties for failing to test and maintain backftaw prevention assemblies and provides a means fvr the costs associated with managing a Cross Connection Control Program. The attached Cross Connecfion Controt C)rdinance Fact Sheef summarizes the ordinance purpose, along with tt�e fcey sections and efements found within the ordinance. Also attached is the proposed Cross Cannection Contro! Ordinance. Staff is proposing a new "Administrative Fee" as a revenue stream to cover the additional Water Enterprise Fund costs ass�iated with managing a Cross Connectian Control Program. The proposed fee of$60 wil! be charged annually to water customers far each backflow prevention assembly installed at a meter or within a customer's waier system. The fee, if adopted, wiil pay for the various Program expenses to include, but not be limited to, staff time, vehic[e rental rates, professional services, training and affice suppiies. Approximately Q.25 FTE will be a{located to carryout and administer the program. With much encouragement from the State Department of Public Health to take ownership of this program, staff has concluded that the additional cost to bc�th the City, and the users of backflow prevention assemblies, is in the public's best interest. ALTERNATIVES 1. Amend the Cross Gonnection Controf Ordinance based upon comments at the Public Hearing_ 2. Return the proposed ordinance to the Councii Utilities Committee for review. FISCAL(MPACT The Ci#y has raughty 900 backflow prevention assemblies and wauld callect approximately $54,000 annually to recompense the Water En#erprise Fund for costs associated with adminisfering the program. in Ezell La rwacz Public Works Services Superin#enden# Pub c Works Ser�ic Director Peter Ingram Jnferim City Mana er