AgdaPkt 2006-08-28 - Laserfiche WebLink

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6.38 ... ..... . ... ..................... .... ...... . Page 1 ' , . ,".. . \../.~:"~.B.;:.f.:.i<..,.i.-'....>.....j;;....:.r:.<.i ............... ... ." . < <...... . ....... ...... .... .....:...... . '_~ . ...~,' ___ ". ......_._ .....~.... . _... ,'_", "h . _','" _'.' '. _ . _'" _ _ _ . . '.' _ . _' _ _ _ _ '.' . '. August 28, 2006 Subject Credits for Water Leaks Recommendation It is recommended that the City Council adopt a resolution to implement a water leak credit policy that provides relief to customers who expediently repair their water leaks. Background In an effort to provide some measure of relief to water system customers who have experienced a problem that was largely beyond their control, the City has maintained a long standing practice of providing credits to those customers who have discovered leaks in their plumbing systems. Periodically, water system customers may experience a water leak of which they are unaware until they receive their water bill from the City. Water bills are generated every other month, and show the current and prior period consumption of water and the related charges. In some cases the charges are very high which causes customers to question their water usage. When contacted by the customer, Revenue Services staff will review the account, and if high usage is confirmed will request that one of our meter readers conduct an audit. If the meter reader detects a leak they notify the customer and inform Revenue Services of such. The meter reader also suggests that the customer call Revenue Services to discuss the bill. Revenue Services staff analyzes the account along with the audit information provided by the meter reader. To qualify for a water leak credit, evidence that the leak has been repaired is required. Such evidence may consist of a plumber's repair bill, materials receipt, or field verification by a Public Works Services employee. Customers must also submit a written request for a water leak credit including a description of the problem. Credit Calculation Attached is the description of the City's existing practice for issuing water leak credits (Attachment I). In an effort to formalize this practice staff is requesting that Council adopt the attached policy. Alternative The Council could elect not to adopt this policy and direct staff to discontinue issuing water leak credits, and instead make arrangements with such customers to spread their payments over several billing periods. Fiscal Impact This practice of providing water leak credits does not impose a significant fiscal impact on the water enterprise fund. In FY 2005/06 we issued an average of nine such credits per