ORD NO 42-1981 ORDINANCE NO. 1) 17/1
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE RATES TO BE CHARGED FOR THE
SERVICES OF THE SEWER SYSTEM OF THE CITY OF,VAN BUREN,
ARKANSAS; REPEALING ALL',ACTS, A ND'ORDINANCES.IN CONTRADICTION
HERETO; DECLARING AN'EMERGENCY; AND PRESCRIBING OTHER MATTERS
PERTAINING THERETO. r
WHEREAS, certain'extentions, betterments and improvements
to the Sewer System of the City of Van Buren, Arkansas,
are necessary to make the Sewer System adequate to serve
the needs of the City of Van Buren, and its inhabitants;
and
WHEREAS, it is necessary that the sewer rates imposed by
the City of Van Buren, should be adjusted in manner
so that such rates entirely fuhd,and provide for the
operation of. the Sewer System; and
WHEREAS,. the Van Buren Water.& Sewer Commission
t
upon a necessary and complete investigation have found
that it is necessary to the interest of the City and its
inhabitants, that the rates charged for the facilities
and services afforded by the Sewer System of the City
of Van Buren, be adjusted as follows and have.by resolution
offered such proposal to, the city council of the City of
Van Buren, Arkansas;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the city council
of the city of Van Buren, Arkansas
SECTION -1: Rate. That the following monthly rates
which the city council of the City of Van Buren, Arkansas
does hereby find and declare ton air, reasonable, just and
necessary minimum rates, are hereby established as rates to be
charged each residential, commercial, industrial, institutional,
user for sewer services rendered after January 1, 1982 by the
sewer system effective, beginning on the 1st day of January, 1982.
The rate shall consist of a minimum which shall be based upon the
size,of meter necessary for such residence, business, industry,.
or institution. and an additional actual 'usage rate of
•S‘ per thousand gallons or fraction thereof. The l
shall include the first one thousand gallons.
.SECTION 2: Determination of Actual Usage. Actual
usage shall be determined as follows:
(a) Residential users'. actual usage shall be based
on average monthly water consumption (in gallons) for the
immediately preceding months of November, December, January,
February, and March.
,(b) As to other -users (commercial, industrial, and
'institutional), actual usage shall be based upon actual
discharge into the sewer system where a properly installed
and approved flow meter is installed so as to monitor actual
discharge. Where these users do not install a meter to measure
the discharge, discharge shall be calculated to be same.as
the actual water consumption or an estimated amount where good
cause can be shown to the Water Sewer Commission that
such amounts of water are not discharged. Any such estimation
may not exceed a 90 day period.
'SECTION 3: Minimum Fee: The minimum fee based
upon meter size shall be as follows:
Size of meter''(inches) .•f 'minimum charge
3/4
1 6.00
12 9.00
2 50.00
3 150.00
4, 200.00
1 6 300.00
SECTION 4: New Residential Customers. As to the
new residential customers who have not used the system for
the winter months as indicated, .the Water Sewer Department
shall make the computatioin by taking in consideration such
figures of actual water .usage as are available, if any.
Such estimates shall only be made for a. period of one year
4 until an average monthly basis can be attained during the months
above indicated..
SECTION 5: Vacant Property. That vacant unoccupied
property not actually using the System shall not be subject
to a charge,; but the burden of showing vacancy and non -use
rest on the owner of the property.
SECTION 6: .Separability. That the provisions of this
ordinance are separable and if.a phrase or
provision shall be declared•invalid, such declaration
shall not affect the validity of the remainder of the
ordinance.
SECTION, 7: Repealing. That all ordinances and resolutions
and part thereof in conflict are hereby repealed.
SECTION 8: It is ascertained and declared that there
is immediate need in order to procure sufficient revenue to
operate and maintain the Van Buren Water and Sewer System
and protect the health, lives and property of the
inhabitants of the City of Van Buren, Arkansas, and
consumers of the Van Buren. Water and Sewer Department, to
charge and collect the charges hereinabove set out; therefore,
an emergency is found to exist, this ordinance is necessary
for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety
same shall take effect and be in force without delay.
PASSED AND APPROVED this day of 1 -.2 -o
1
1981.
APPROVED.
i/c/./tit
MAYOR
ATTEST
CITY CLERK