ORDINANCE #5-20-2024A

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 99 SEWER SERVICE CHARGES OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE OF MT. VERNON, IOWA
BE IT ENACTED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MT. VERNON, IOWA:
SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. Chapter 99.02 Rate, is hereby amended as follows:
92.02 USAGE RATE. Effective July 1, 2009, each customer will pay sewer service charges in the amount of $34.22 per 1000 cubic feet of water attributable to the customer for the property served but in no event less than $7.51 per month (a 10% increase over the previous rate of $6.83). Beginning on July 1, 2009 and then on July 1 of each succeeding year until June 30, 2024, the sewer service charge will increase 3% and the minimum charge will be increased by 3%. Beginning July 1, 2024 and July 1, 2025, the sewer service charge will increase 8% and the minimum charge will be increased by 8%. Beginning on July 1, 2026, and then on July 1 of each succeeding year until June 30, 2030, the sewer service charge will increase 3% and the minimum charge will be increased by 3%. In any fiscal year in which revenues are expected to exceed operations and maintenance expenditures by 25% the Council, by resolution, shall suspend the rate increase, in whole or in part, so long as revenues exceed operations and maintenance expenditures by 25%.
In addition, there will be a flat fee of $10.00 per month per residential dwelling unit and a flat fee of $10.00 per month for each non-residential account for the purpose of payment for an upgrade to the sewer system for the benefit of all users. A residential dwelling unit is defined as one or more rooms, designed, occupied or intended for occupancy as a separate living quarter. For purposes of this section, each apartment, dormitory room, condominium or similar dwelling usage will be considered a separate dwelling unit.
Customers who are educational institutions with more than 250 full-time students are exempt from the sewer service charges based on the water usage for the portion of water service:
1. Used exclusively for watering or irrigating playing fields of the educational institution; and
2. Measured by a meter that is separate and distinct from the meters used to measure other water services provided to the customer.
The customer is responsible for all costs associated with the purchase, installation and maintenance of the meter. The Superintendent shall determine the type and size of the meter and, further, shall inspect and approve the installation of the meter so used. The customer’s eligibility for this exemption is contingent upon full compliance with these and other provisions pertaining to the water system and the sanitary sewer system, as determined by the Superintendent.
SECTION 2. SAVINGS CLAUSE. If any section, provision, sentence, clause, phrase or part of this Ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole or any provision, section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or part hereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage, approval and publication as provided by law.
Approved and adopted this 1st day of July, 2024.
______________________________
ATTEST: Thomas M. Wieseler – Mayor
_________________________________
Marsha Dewell – City Clerk
I certify that the foregoing was published as
Ordinance #5-20-2024A on the 11th day of July, 2024.
Marsha Dewell, City Clerk

Published in the MVL Sun, July 11, 2024