REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
November 9, 2017
FROM: THOMAS C. ESQUEDA, Director
Department of Public Utilities
THROUGH: BUD TICKEL, Water System Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Water Division
BY: HENRY C. McLAUGHLIN, Business Manager
Department of Public Utilities - Water Division
SUBJECT
Title
***RESOLUTION - 540th amendment to the Master Fee Schedule Resolution (MFS) No. 80-420 amending the backflow prevention program fee (City Wide) (Subject to Mayor's veto)
Body
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the 540th Amendment to the Master Fee Schedule (MFS) Resolution No. 80-420 to amend the Backflow Prevention Program Fee effective January 1, 2018.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Currently, the City of Fresno collects a monthly fee of $3.00 per device from customers with backflow prevention devices (also referred to as cross connection control assemblies) to cover program administration costs, including testing notification and maintaining customer records. The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is proposing that the Water Division contract with a backflow data management firm to handle the administration of the testing program. This firm will not be charging the City for their services, but will be assessing each customer an annual fee of $9.95 per device.
To offset this changeover in program costs, the adoption of the attached amendment to the MFS is recommended to lower the rate per device by $1.00 from $3.00 to $2.00. This will reduce the annual cost to customers by an average of $12.00 per device and allow the Water Division staff to focus on program management and surveys. It is proposed that this fee be made effective January 1, 2018, to allow for transition of the program.
BACKGROUND
The City of Fresno is required by State law to ensure all privately owned backflow prevention devices that are connected to the City of Fresno Water system be tested on an annual basis. There are currently 8,885 cross connection...
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