TO: Mayor and City Commission
FROM: Samuel A. May, City Manager
DATE: January 23, 2019
Title
CITY OF MARGATE WATER BILL FEES.
BACKGROUND: A partial shutdown of the federal government commenced on December 22, 2018.
City Code, Article VII. - Utility Rules, Regulations, and Rates, Section 39-70(b) Withholding service. provides that, “The city may withhold or discontinue water/sewer service rendered under application made by any member or agent of a household, organization or business unless all prior indebtedness to the city of such household, organization or business for water/sewer service has been settled in full.” e.s.
City Code, Article VII. - Utility Rules, Regulations, and Rates, Section 39-70(1)b. provides that, “Any rule, regulation, or policy not specifically provided for by ordinance or resolution shall be at the discretion of the city manager or designee.”
City Code, Article VII. - Utility Rules, Regulations, and Rates, Section 39-70(16)a. provides as follows:
“Contract with owners. Terms of payment and delinquent bills.
a. Water and/or sewer services shall be authorized only by the owner of the property which said water and/or sewer services shall be supplied.”
Excerpt from $11,925,000 Water and Sewer Refunding Revenue Bond Series 2007:
“L. SERVICES RENDERED BY THE CITY. That the City will not render or cause to be rendered any free services of any nature by the Water and Sewer System or any part thereof, nor will any preferential rates be established for users of the same class….” e.s.
RECOMMENDATION: For the City Commission to express its support of the City Manager to use his discretion under Section 39-70(b) to provide additional time to those affected by the federal shutdown, to settle their water/sewer service accounts in full.