VI.4. Adopt Resoluton 2014-072, Increasing Water Utility, San. Sewer, and refuse Rates
November 5, 2014 Council Report 2014-125
PROPOSED WATER UTILITY, SANITARY SEWER UTILITY
AND REFUSE RATE INCREASES
Proposed Action
Staff recommends adoption of the following resolution: Move to adopt Resolution No. 2014-072 increasing
water, sanitary sewer and recycling rates effective January 1, 2015.
Adoption of this motion will result in increasing the water rate from $2.10 to $2.18, the water service charge for
metered sprinklers from $2.50 to $2.60 per 1,000 gallons of water used, the sanitary sewer rate from $4.10 to
$4.30 per 1,000 gallons of water used, and the and the recycling rate from $4.25 to $4.50 per month effective
January 1, 2015 and thereafter.
Overview
Water and Sewer Funds –
In 2007 staff prepared a Utility Master Plan which sets forth operational, debt
and capital requirements of the water, sanitary sewer and storm sewer systems for the next 10 years. This plan
was reviewed and updated in 2009, 2011 and 2013. As a result of that plan we presented a schedule for rate
adjustments over that same period of time that will allow us to meet the needs of the utility system while
maintaining our utility infrastructure. These proposed rate increases are a result of the prior adoption of the
Utility Master Plan.
Refuse Fund
– The present recycling rates are not funding the recycling operations of the refuse program.
Recycling program operating costs have increased over 11% from 2011 primarily due to contractual obligations and
fuel related costs. In addition with the fluctuation of the market for recyclable goods our rebate income has decreased.
With the proposed recycling rate increase we are projecting a 2014 recycling departmental net loss of $6,080. This
may be mitigated if the market for recyclables goes back up.
Primary Issues to Consider
How will the increased rates affect the residents and businesses in the City of Hopkins?
Why is the rate increase recommended?
What are the proposed capital improvement projects?
Staff Recommendation
To provide funding for the operation, debt and capital needs of the water, sewer and refuse funds, finance
st
recommends approval of the resolution. The change in rates would take effect January 1, 2015.
Supporting Information
Resolution No. 2014-072
Water, Sanitary Sewer, and Refuse CIP Cash Flow analysis
Christine M. Harkess, CPA, CGFM
Finance Director
Financial Impact: $58,000 water, $104,000 sewer; $8,000 refuse Budgeted: Y/N X N
Source: Water, Sewer, Refuse Funds
Related Documents (CIP, ERP, etc.): __ERP, CIP and 2013 Utility Master Plan (as revised)__
Notes: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Additional Information Regarding Rate Increases
Rate Increases and Effect on Residents
Water –
The rate adjustment will increase an average residential water bill (a customer using 7,500
gallons) approximately $0.60 a month and will maintain Hopkins’ rank as in the bottom 1/3rd of Metro
cities. The rate increase proposed is important in allowing staff to make necessary improvements to the
reliability of the water system.
Sanitary Sewer
– The rate adjustment will increase an average residential sanitary sewer bill by
approximately $1.13 per month and also will maintain Hopkins’ rank in the bottom 1/3rd of Metro
cities. The rate increase is a result of Met Council advising us that their annual increase will be 3% for
2015 and to provide for necessary improvements to the sanitary sewer system.
Refuse
- Recycling rates were last increased in 2014. As a result of the 2015 budget process and an
analysis of increasing operational costs of contractual arrangements and fuel related costs a recycling
rate adjustment was proposed. The rate increase is a flat $0.25 per month. This increase is in lieu of the
scheduled refuse rate increase and will have a much smaller impact on customers. With this increase we
will still have an operational loss from the recycling division but we are moving in the right direction.
Why are the Rate Increases Recommended ?
In 2007 staff developed a Utility Master Plan covering the next 10 years which was revised in 2009,
2011 and again in 2013. Operations, debt service requirements, capital and infrastructure needs were all
reviewed along with associated revenues. In order for us to meet the needs in the water, sanitary sewer
and storm sewer funds scheduled rate increases are necessary. Rates unfortunately have not kept up
with the needs of the water and sanitary sewer funds and staff recommends annual incremental increases
to minimize the effect on customer budgets.
What are the proposed capital improvement projects?
Water
– Over the next 5 years we have scheduled $2,554,000 in capital infrastructure needs the largest
of which is water infrastructure related to street improvements totaling $1,650,000 over the 5 year
period. Also included is $250,000 for the Mainstreet Rehabilitation project, $211,000 for the St. Louis
Park Emergency Connection and $250,000 for Blake Road Corridor improvements.
Sanitary Sewer
– Over the next 5 years we have scheduled $1,313,000 in capital improvements the
largest of which is sewer infrastructure related to street improvements totaling $860,000 over the 5 year
period. Also included is $160,000 for rehab of Lift Station #4.
The complete detail for all scheduled capital improvements can be found in the Capital Improvement
Plan and Equipment Replacement Plan. Both documents are available at City Hall and on our website.
With any scheduled capital improvement before deciding to move forward they are reanalyzed for
feasibilty, financial availabilty and the capital schedule revised if necessary.
CITY OF HOPKINS
HENNEPIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA
RESOLUTION 2014-072
WATER, SANITARY SEWER
AND RECYCLING RATE INCREASES
WHEREAS
, the City of Hopkins has established Ordinance No. 92-712 Sewer and Water Utility
rates, City Code section 715.03 which defines water rates and section 715.07 which defines sanitary
sewer rates; and Ordinance No. 92-707, City Code section 605.04 which defines refuse charges for
collection services; and
WHEREAS,
the ordinances authorizes water, sanitary sewer and recycling rates to be set
forth by council resolution; and
WHEREAS,
it is estimated the present water and sewer utility rates are not sufficient to cover
operating expenses over the next five years and will not provide sufficient funding for capital
improvement projects identified in the 2015-2019 Capital Improvement Plan and the 10 year Utility
Master Plan completed in 2007 and revised in 2009, 2011 and 2013; and
WHEREAS,
it is estimated the present recycling rates are not sufficient to cover current and
future operating expenses for the recycling program;
NOW, THEREFORE
, be it hereby resolved that the City Council of the City of Hopkins hereby
sets the service charge for the Water and Sanitary Sewer Utililities and Recycling Programs at the
following rates to be paid to the City upon billing therefore as follows:
The water service usage charge for all classes of users on the system at $2.18 per 1,000 gallons of
water used.
The water service charge for metered sprinklers for all classes of users on the system at $2.60 per
1,000 gallons of water used.
The sanitary sewer service charge for all classes of users on the system at $4.30 per 1,000 gallons
of water used.
The recycling service charge for all users on the system at $4.50 per month, per recycling unit.
EFFECTIVE DATE
: The provisions of this resolution shall be effective January 1, 2015.
th
Adopted by the City Council of the City of Hopkins, Minnesota, this 5 day of November 2014.
_______________________________
Eugene J. Maxwell, Mayor
ATTEST:
___________________________________
Amy Domeier, City Clerk
WATER FUND - WORKING CAPITAL PROJECTION07/10/2011
ActualProjectedProjectedProjectedProjectedProjectedProjected
201420152016201720182019
2013
Working Capital Beginning Year
76,872597,731873,064838,7111,019,6061,104,7051,219,632
Revenues:
Operating Revenues1,468,9561,541,6691,377,8501,416,5501,461,5001,506,4501,551,550
Other14,327152,149158,533165,235172,272179,661187,418
Interest139000000
Gain on Sale of Asset21,855
Bond Issuance860,000195,000200,000780,000400,000850,000268,000
Total Revenues2,365,2771,888,8181,736,3832,361,7852,033,7722,536,1112,006,968
Expenditures:
Operation Expense1,069,7411,037,7811,073,8461,111,2441,150,0271,190,2491,231,969
Other Exp - bond issuance-fiscal fee
Other Exp - int on current bonds64,620000
Other Exp - int on refunded bonds7,5872,700
Other Exp - int on 2009 bonds24,22522,85021,35019,72517,88715,963
Other Exp - int on 2012 bonds14,17913,37912,52911,62910,7299,829
Other Exp - int on 2013 bonds22,71317,43116,43115,43114,38113,281
017,03521,86133,03734,635
Other Exp -est interest on Future Bonds5,73
Equipment Replacement Items06,800061,700
Capital Improvements462,660197,000250,000786,000400,000850,000268,000
Principal Bond payment260,000
Principal Bond payment - refunded175,000180,000
Principal Bond pymnt - 2009 debt50,00050,00050,00050,00055,00055,000
Principal Bond pymnt - 2012 debt40,00040,00045,00045,00045,00045,000
Principal Bond pymnt - 2013 debt50,00050,00050,00055,00055,000
t13,00026,30078,300104,900161,500
Principal Bond pymnt - Future Deb
Capital Lease (PW Facility) (1)045,00045,00045,00045,00045,00045,000
Total Expenditures1,857,0211,613,4851,770,7362,180,8901,948,6732,421,1841,953,177
Change in available funds508,256275,334(34,353)180,89585,099114,92753,791
Inventory change52
Bond Premium/Discount Exp12,551
Working Capital Ending Year597,731873,064838,7111,019,6061,104,7051,219,6321,273,424
(1) Capital Lease moved to Storm Sewer - back to water fund in 2014
Rate History (water/sprinkler)
2014 - 2019 financial data was taken from the Utility Master Plan done by City Engineer
1984 $0.85
1993 $1.05Notes -
1997 $1.10Income - 2008 and forward used utility master plan rates (fixture/no surcharge option)
2000 $1.20
2005 $1.40
Per Utility Master Plan (10/07)
2008 $1.65
2009 $1.86
2010 $1.90
2011 $1.94/2.40 - not incr, left at $1.90
2012 $1.96 / 2.40
2013 $2.02 / 2.40
2014 $2.10 / 2.50
2015 $2.18 / 2.60
projected rate
2016 $2.25 / 2.70
increases
2017 $2.35 / 2.85
2018 $2.45 / 3.00
these are the correct rates per the UMP
SEWER FUND - WORKING CAPITAL PROJECTION07/10/2014
ActualProjectedProjectedProjectedProjectedProjectedProjected
201420152016201720182019
2013
Working Capital Beginning Year394,411229,722370,127505,976615,059713,615823,069
Revenues:
Operating Revenues1,981,5802,308,5002,399,7002,496,6002,593,5002,696,1002,804,400
Other17,90320,00020,00020,00020,00020,00020,000
Interest335749251,2651,5381,7842,058
Bond Issuance490,000150,0000300,000240,000475,000298,000
Total Revenues2,489,5162,479,0742,420,6252,817,8652,855,0383,192,8843,124,458
Expenditures:
Operation Expense551,763551,833570,253589,319609,053629,484650,634
MWCC Charges (3% inflation)1,222,8931,436,1441,504,3071,575,7711,650,6981,729,2561,811,624
Other - Bond Issuance-fiscal fees
Interest Expense 45,01530,10028,45026,57524,46322,18719,825
Interest Expense - 2012 Debt3,1492,9492,7492,5492,3492,149
Interest Expense - 2013 Debt12,9439,9189,3188,7198,1197,519
Interest Expense - Future Debt2,1006,4509,60016,03519,341
Equipment Replacement Items06,80033,60026,400
Capital Improvements773,923154,5000300,000240,000475,000298,000
Principal Bond payment (2009)70,00060,00060,00065,00065,00065,00070,000
Principal Bond payment (2012)10,00010,00010,00010,00010,00010,000
Principal Bond payment (2013)30,00030,00030,00030,00030,00030,000
Principal Bond payments Future Debt10,00010,00030,00046,00077,600
Capital Lease (PW Facility) (1)050,00050,00050,00050,00050,00050,000
Total Expenditures2,663,5942,338,6692,284,7772,708,7822,756,4823,083,4303,064,691
Change in available funds(174,078)140,406135,849109,08398,556109,45459,766
Inventory change90
Bond Premium/Discount Exp9,299
Working Capital Ending Year229,722370,127505,976615,059713,615823,069882,835
(1) Capital Lease moved to Storm Sewer - back in fund in 2014
Rate Histor
y2014 - 2018 financial data was taken from the Utility Master Plan done by City Engineer
1983 $1.50
1989 $1.75
1991 $2.00
1993 $2.50
Notes -
1999 $2.25 Rate DECREASE Income - 2008 and forward used utility master plan rates (no fixture option)
2006 $2.50 rate increase
Per Utility Master Plan (10/07)
2008 $2.70
2009 $3.10
2010 $3.40
2011 $3.70 - act 3.60
2012 $3.75
2013 $3.90
2014 $4.10
2015 $4.30
2016 $4.55
projected rate
2017 $4.80
increases
2018 $5.10
these are the correct rates per the UMP
REFUSE FUND - WORKING CAPITAL PROJECTION
06/06/2014
ActualProjectedProjectedProjectedProjectedProjectedProjected
2013201420152016201720182019
Working Capital Beginning Year
621,737773,023928,234921,106983,9601,215,1781,438,892
Revenues:
Operating Revenues
Refuse Collectionx730,947730,947x780,947780,947x830,947830,947880,947
Recycling Rates138,161x146,261146,261x154,361154,361x162,461162,461
Bulk Collection12,63112,00012,00012,00012,00012,00012,000
Yard Waste11,70310,00010,00010,00010,00010,00010,000
Recycling rebates8,21430,00030,00030,00030,00030,00030,000
Miscellaneous (penalties)12,14710,00010,00010,00010,00010,00010,000
Grants24,58418,50018,00017,50017,00016,50016,500
Gain on sale of assets0
Interest3,8213,8654,6414,6064,9206,0767,194
Net Incr (Decr) in FV of Inv
Total Revenues942,208961,5731,011,8491,019,4141,069,2281,077,9841,129,102
Expenditures:
Operation Expense766,042781,363789,176804,960813,010829,270837,562
Transfer Out
Capital Outlay (per ERP)204,800101,600
Capital Projects per CIP25,00018,000
Capital Lease (PW Facility)25,00025,00025,00025,00025,00025,00025,000
Total Expenditures791,042806,3631,018,976956,560838,010854,270880,562
Change in available funds151,166155,210(7,127)62,854231,218223,714248,540
Inventory change120
Working Capital Ending Year773,023928,234921,106983,9601,215,1781,438,8921,687,432
Rate History
1989 $15.102018 - PW Garage Upgrade
1991 $17.252019 - PW - Replace Overhead Doors
1995 $11.00-14.45 refuse
$2.25 recycling fee
2002 $2.75 recycle fee
2005 $13.20, 15.90, 17.25, refuse
2008 $3.25 recycling fee
2009 $15.85, 18.55, 21.25, refuse
2009 $3.50 recycling fee
2010 $3.75 recycling fee
2011 $16.85, $19.85, $23.15 refuse
2012 $4.00 recycling fee
2013 $16.85, $20.85, $24.30 refuse
2014 $4.25 recycling fee
2015 $4.50 recycling fee
2015 $18.85; $21.85; $25.15 refuse - did not implement
2016 $4.50 recycling fee
2017 $19.85; $22.85; $26.15 refuse
2018 $4.75 recycling fee
2019 $20.85; $23.85; $27.15 refuse
2020 $5.00 recycling fee