01-25-1982 Special Called MeetingContinued - January 18, 1982
(Water) Jack Shinall said the Water and Sewer department employees also put in
quite a few hours and did a good job.
Jack said that in response to complaints heard tonight from citizens in Cedar Cliffs,
he thought it would,be a good idea for the Water and Sewer Committee to meet once
each month at a date to be named, to hear these complaints from citizens.
(License & Permits) Elbert Coalson said we were beginning to have problems with
portable signs in the City again and the Inspections Department was going to begin
a stricter enforcement of the ordinance.
Mayor Bacon thanked the Public Works, Police, Fire and Civil Defense employees for
the good job they did during the ice storm, and said he appreciated their efforts.
Mayor Bacon reminded everyone of the called meeting on January 25, 1982, at 7:30
p.m. to discuss the increase in water and sewer rates.
With no further business, meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.
************************
January 25. 1982
A special called meeting of Mayor and Council was held January 25, 1982 at Smyrna
City Hall. The meeting was called to order by presiding officer Mayor Arthur T.
Bacon. All council members were present. Also present was City Attorney Charles
Camp and City Clerk Willouise Spivey.
Mayor Bacon explained the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the water and sewer
rate increases to the City from the Cobb -Marietta Water Authority. The water rates
were increased from 47¢ per thousand gallons to 58� and sewer service to 80� per
thousand gallons, effective January 1, 1982. At the request of Mayor and Council,
Wallace Pate prepared a rate study for the City and Mr. Pate was asked to present
his recommendations.
Mr. Pate stated his report showed the current rates, Cobb County rates and alterna-
tive rates based on a $5.00 charge for each customer, plus an additional base rate
charge to commercial users based on the size of meter. Multi -family residences
would be based on a $5.00 charge per unit in the complex. He also recommended the'
City have a study conducted to determine depreciation rates or return on investment
necessary for the perpetual maintenance of the system.
Basically, the alternative rate would be a $5.00 charge per customer, plus 85¢ per
thousand gallons for water or sewerage. There is also a variation in meter charge
for commercial users, due to the increased cost of maintaining the larger meters.
A 1" meter charge would be $15.00, 1z" - $35.00, 2" - $65.00 and 3" - $200.00, with
larger meters on cost in relationship to residential meters. An average bill for
6,000 gallons consumption is $11.43 under present rates. The new Cobb County rates
for 6,000 gallons is $17.80 and the alternative plan would be $15.20, for water and
sewerage. The break-even point for water customers only is 9,000 gallons due to the
fact that Cobb County bills us for water and sewerage treatment, even though we bill
our customers for water only. Mr. Pate said the alternative plan was a compromise
between the City's current rates and new Cobb County rates. If the City mAf taifns
the present rate the projected loss from operations under the current budget would
be $450,000 and the alternative plan would project a $16,000 loss. The net anticipated
increase in funds under the alternate plan is projected at $21,000. This plan allows
for funds required for improvements and expansion and should eliminate the need to
borrow from other funds when major repairs are needed.
Jack Shinall made a motion the alternative rate be accepted as proposed in the rate
study conducted by Pate, Shiver & Looney based on the base rate of $5.00 per meter
for residential areas and the graduated rate as contained in the report for commer-
cial users, plus 85¢ per thousand gallons for water and sewerage. Elbert Coalson
seconded the motion. Jim Tolleson said the Cobb Municipal Association officers and
Mayors from Cobb County were meeting Wednesday night for the purpose of discussing
these increases to see if there is any alternative and what can be done to prevent
unexpected large increases in the future. Jack Shinall said the City had applied
Continued - January 25, 1982
for federal funds for the purpose of conducting a sewer system evaluation study
as mentioned in Mr. Pate's report, but these funds were the first to be cut by
Congress. It now looks as if we have about a 10% chance of receiving these funds
and if the study is done at all, the City may have to fund it entirely, or at least
a portion thereof. Cost of this study is estimated at $200,000.
There was no opposition from the audience, and after further discussion vote on the
motion carried 7-0.
With no further business, meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
ARTHUR T. BACON, MAYOR
DAMES E. TOLLESON, WARD 1
r
WILLOUISE C. SPIVEW CITY AERK
/ Z6 -
G
MAX BACON, WARD 2
�r.SM.
M. HAVKINS,WARD
SHINAIL,- WARD 5 ELBERT R. COALSON, WARD 6
SARAH JONES, WAR