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all the information. Committee continued discussing the Cumulative Billed <br />Consumption Chart. Mr. Ahrens explained the cumulative difference and monthly <br />difference and that these were added so you could see the seasonal effect. Mr. <br />Kowar stated that we had a weird seasonal pattern and that Finance/Utility Billing <br />and our Operations have been working together on overall impacts to the City. <br />Mr. Watson passed out a graph that refers to the revenue explaining that’s our <br />current year’s budget weighted based on a 10 year history of what we normally <br />track. Mr. Watson said staff did lot of troubleshooting (meter audits and testing, <br />manual reads, etc.) but were unsuccessfully in finding the cause with these <br />measures. Further investigation into the billing software showed a slight slowing <br />of the reading period by a few days. This slowing has been accumulating over <br />several years and has resulted in reading data being delayed by as much as 30 <br />days. The Committee discussed billing and corrective actions which includes <br />tightening up the calendar. The Committee asked about the recent users that <br />expressed concern that they had been mis-billed. Mr. Watson explained how <br />staff reviewed their consumption and time frame for usage, etc. with each user <br />that has made contact. Committee continued discussing and agreed there was <br />never a bill more than 30 days old. In addition, the Committee asked what <br />happens if the customer doesn’t pay and what they can do. Mr. Watson said we <br />have a leak application where they have 6 months to apply then there is a shut <br />off notice after that. Mr. Watson stated the consumer has to pay their bill after <br />we’ve done due diligence. Mr. Kowar asked what our next steps would be. <br />Suggestions were: <br />• We can offer the Slow the Flow Program <br />• In the spring we could meet with the handful of customers we have while <br />they turn their sprinklers on. <br />• Do a meter read <br /> <br />Mr. Watson said we will follow up on our procedures. Mayor Pro Tem Maloney <br />then commented on the Dash Board and said we agreed to do quarterly so let’s <br />do them in the quarter when they are complete. The Committee agreed. <br /> <br />VIII. Utility Rate Structure <br /> Mr. Kowar reviewed the prior rate structure that was developed as part of the <br />2013/2014 rate study. He went on to explain the current cost of service and rate <br />design. At the conclusion, Mr. Kowar sought direction on whether to focus on <br />cost of service or rate design. Mayor Stolzmann stated that both should be <br />reviewed but would like to evaluate based more on usage than the specific <br />customer type of residential or commercial. Mayor Pro Tem Maloney added that <br />a lot of policies are imbedded in these and should be assessed at the same time. <br />Councilmember Lipton suggested that this be designated as separate topics. Mr. <br />Kowar offered the option of bringing in an outside consultant that could bring <br />prospective of other utilities that can provide a broader context of options. <br />Councilmember Lipton was open to this suggestion but wanted to get more of a <br />baseline to determine if a change was needed prior to engaging a consultant. Mr. <br />Kowar suggested to start with cost of service with emphasis on the customer <br />6