Submitted By: Rusella Bowes-Johnson
presenter
Presentation By: Sean Lanier
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Department: Water & Sewer
STAFF RECOMMENDATION (Motion Ready):
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Introduce Ordinance 2025-XX concerning Chapter 70 of the Code of Ordinances to amend Sections/Subsections 70-301(d)(4), 70-321(b), 70-391, 70-411(a), 70-413, 70-414, 70-417(b) and (c), and adding Sections/Subsections 70-301(d)(5), 70-418 and 70-419
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OCALA'S RELEVANT STRATEGIC GOALS:
Fiscally Sustainable, Operational Excellence
PROOF OF PUBLICATION:
N/A
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BACKGROUND:
In January of 2021, City Council adopted a rate study for water, wastewater and reclaimed water (collectively, Water Utiltity/Utilities) which implemented rates and charges for those services provided by the City of Ocala to its customers. The associated rates and charges were codified at Chapter 70, Code of Ordinances, City of Ocala Florida. Among the provisions of the adopted rate study in 2021 was a "built-in" rate adjustment for future years, ending in 2025. The last update occurred on October 1, 2024.
Following authorization by Council on January 16, 2024, staff engaged Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. (Raftelis) to perform a new rate study to develop a revised financial forecast for the future of the City of Ocala's Water Utilities and to determine what current and future rate adjustments are necessary to ensure that City Water Utilities are adequately funded to align with that financial forecast, including system operations and maintenance as well as funding for capital expenditures, upgrades and expansions.
In addition to the review of the Water Utility rates, staff also asked Raftelis to consider and review miscellaneous utility charges, including, but not necessarily limited to, connection charges, temporary water service charges and meter test fees. In order to support Raftelis' review of these charges, staff developed a job cost workbook which itemized each cost or service on a per-job basis considering the necessary ...
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