TO: Mayor Collins and Town Council Members
FROM: Kevin Burke, Town Manager
DATE: October 27, 2016
DEPARTMENT: Town Manager
Staff Contact Kevin Burke, 480-348-3690
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AGENDA TITLE:
Title
Discussion of Phoenix Sewer Rate Concerns for Paradise Valley Residents
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Council Goals or Other Policies / Statutory Requirements:
Collaboration - Strengthen internal and external collaboration.
Customer Service
RECOMMENDATION:
Discuss and provide direction to staff regarding actions to address resident concerns on Phoenix Sewer rates.
SUMMARY STATEMENT:
In January of this year, the Paradise Valley Independent ran an article entitled "Paradise Valley Residents call into question Phoenix sewer fee assessments." Following that article, the Town met with several Paradise Valley residents who are customers of Phoenix sewer to learn more about their concern. In short, the concern is how the City of Phoenix calculates the monthly sewer usage bill. Town staff has met with Phoenix staff on several occasions to present the concern and receive information. Phoenix staff has been very cooperative with our requests for information and meetings.
The structure of the Phoenix sewer rates is the heart of the Paradise Valley residents' concern. The City of Phoenix estimates sewer flow similar to Paradise Valley. To meter sewage flow on a house-by-house basis similar to water flow is prohibitively expensive. Therefore, Phoenix estimates the flow by taking a "winter average" of water consumption. That winter average is calculated by measuring the average water through the water meter during the months of January, February and March. Most of these customers are on EPCOR water but in some cases they are also on Phoenix water. That average amount is then multiplied by 77% for single family residences. The theory is that 77% of water consumed by this land use during the winter months makes it into the sewer. This theory is not uncommon (the Town of PV and Scottsd...
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