AGENDA INFORMATION SHEET
DEPARTMENT: Utility Administration
ACM/CM: Jon Fortune
DATE: May 22, 2017
SUBJECT
Title
Consider recommending approval of amendments to Chapter 26, Section 26-126.1 of the Denton Code of Ordinances and Ordinance 2016-274 Water Rate Schedule "Water Tap and Meter Fees" to remove language regarding waiving fire sprinkler tap fees and to clarify water tap and meter fee charges.
Body
BACKGROUND
During February 14, 2017 Council requested staff to prepare a work session item on fire sprinkler tap fees. Fire sprinkler taps are a type of water line tap fee, and are considered as a part of the water tap and meter fees used in the Water Utilities cost of service analyses. Tap fees are based on categories that include the size of the tap and whether the tap installation involves various types of street work. The amount of each tap fee category is based on actual costs averages for installations, and are assessed as part of the Water Fee Schedule each fiscal year. If fees deviate substantially from these averages due to specific site circumstances, the cost of service methodology indicates that the actual cost of the installation should be charged.
Prior to 1991, the Water Department charged for the installation of fire sprinkler taps like other water tap fees. During the process of changing the Fire Department's Sprinkler System Ordinance in 1991, the City Water Utility agreed to install fire sprinkler taps at no charge to the customer requesting the tap for a brief time. The reason for subsidizing this connection fee was that the City of Denton Fire Sprinkler System Ordinance was perceived to be more stringent than other fire ordinances in the area since it exceeded the requirements of the Uniform Building Code (UBC) and Uniform Fire Code (UFC) when it was introduced in 1991. In April 1991 a modification to the Tap and Loop fees section was proposed and was approved by the City Council via Ordinance 91-063. ...
Click here for full text