HomeMy WebLinkAboutCity Council Packet 12.17.2024
AGENDA
CITY OF LAUREL
SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2024
6:30 PM
COUNCIL CHAMBERS
WELCOME . . . By your presence in the City Council Chambers, you are participating in the process of representative
government. To encourage that participation, the City Council has specified times for citizen comments on its agenda -- once
following the Consent Agenda, at which time citizens may address the Council concerning any brief community announcement
not to exceed one minute in duration for any speaker; and again following Items Removed from the Consent Agenda, at which
time citizens may address the Council on any matter of City business that is not on tonight’s agenda. Each speaker will be
limited to three minutes, unless the time limit is extended by the Mayor with the consent of the Council. Citizens may also
comment on any item removed from the consent agenda prior to council action, with each speaker limited to three minutes,
unless the time limit is extended by the Mayor with the consent of the Council. If a citizen would like to comment on an age nda
item, we ask that you wait until the agenda item is presented to the Council by the Mayor and the public is asked to comment
by the Mayor.
Any person who has any question concerning any agenda item may call the City Clerk -Treasurer's office to make an inquiry
concerning the nature of the item described on the agenda. Your City government welcomes your interest and hopes you will
attend the Laurel City Council meetings often.
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call of the Council
Approval of Minutes
Correspondence
Council Disclosure of Ex Parte Communications
Public Hearing
1. Public Hearing on Water and Sewer Rate Increase
Consent Items
NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC
The Consent Calendar adopting the printed Recommended Council Action will be enacted with one vote. The Mayor will
first ask the Council members if any Council member wishes to remove any item from the Consent Calendar for
discussion and consideration. The matters removed from the Consent Calendar will be considered individually at the end of
this Agenda under "Items Removed from the Consent Calendar." (See Section 12.) The entire Consent Calendar, with the
exception of items removed to be discussed under "Items Removed from the Consent Calendar," is then voted upon by roll
call under one motion.
Ceremonial Calendar
Reports of Boards and Commissions
Audience Participation (Three-Minute Limit)
Citizens may address the Council regarding any item of City business that is not on tonight’s agenda. Comments regarding
tonight’s agenda items will be accepted under Scheduled Matters. The duration for an individual speaking under Audi ence
Participation is limited to three minutes. While all comments are welcome, the Council will not take action on any item not
on the agenda.
Scheduled Matters
Items Removed From the Consent Agenda
Community Announcements (One-Minute Limit)
This portion of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for citizens to address the Council regarding community
1
announcements. The duration for an individual speaking under Community Announcements is limited to one minute. While
all comments are welcome, the Council will not take action on any item not on the agenda.
Council Discussion
Council members may give the City Council a brief report regarding committees or groups in which they are involved.
Mayor Updates
Unscheduled Matters
Adjournment
The City makes reasonable accommodations for any known disability that may interfere with a person’s ability to participate
in this meeting. Persons needing accommodation must notify the City Clerk’s Office to make needed arrangements. To make
your request known, please call 406-628-7431, Ext. 2, or write to City Clerk, PO Box 10, Laurel, MT 59044, or present your
request at City Hall, 115 West First Street, Laurel, Montana.
2
File Attachments for Item:
1. Public Hearing on Water and Sewer Rate Increase
3
The City Council carefully considered these changes. A public hearing
to share more information about these rates is scheduled for
December 17, 2024, with a vote on the proposed rates within 30 days.
The results of the rate study recommended a change to how we charge for water. The
water rates structure will change to prioritize affordable and equitable rates, and
encourage water efficiency. We’re moving to a tiered water rate structure. Under this
model, the cost per gallon increases as usage rises, which encourages conservation and
ensures that high water users contribute more to support the system’s additional capacity
needs. Many customers may find themselves in the higher tiers during the summer
months and in the lower tier during the winter months.
These rate changes are a necessary step towards achieving a balanced and efficient
rates structure and will ensure we can continue providing safe and reliable water and
sewer services for generations to come.
We appreciate your support as we continue to work to be a stronger and more resilient
water utility and community. The following page includes details of the new rates
structure. Note that our billing system is not changing, only our rates are. If you have any
questions about these new rates or would like assistance with understanding your bill,
please contact our customer service team at (406) 628-4796.
Sincerely,
Dave Waggoner
Dear Customer,
We are reaching out to inform you about important updates to the
City of Laurel's water and wastewater rates, based on a recent
comprehensive rate study. Our rates need to be updated to
address several key issues, including:
OUR PRIORITIES
Fairness
Affordability
Revenue Stability
Minimized
Customer Impacts
Increasing operational costs; the City has not increased
rates since 2015, and since then, our costs have increased
Urgent maintenance and upgrades for our
aging infrastructure
Ensuring every customer covers the cost of their water
and sewer service Long-Term
Planning
4
Indoor Use
4,000 Gallons of Water
3,000 Gallons of Wastewater
Average Use
6,000 Gallons of Water
3,000 Gallons of Wastewater
Summer Use
15,000 Gallons of Water
3,000 Gallons of Wastewater
Water: Monthly Increase of $0.10
Sewer: Monthly Increase of $9.54
Total Change: $9.64
Water: Monthly Decrease of $0.74
Sewer: Monthly Increase of $9.54
Total Change: $8.80
Water: Monthly Increase of $0.94
Sewer: Monthly Increase of $9.54
Total Change: $10.20
EXAMPLES OF THREE RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS WITH 3/4" METERS WITH DIFFERENT
WATER AND WASTEWATER USAGE AND ANTICIPATED IMPACTS ON THEIR BILLS
Water
Monthly Minimum Charge/Base
Charge, $ per Bill
Meter Size Existing Proposed
Inches
3/4"
1"
1.25"
1.5"
2"
3"
4"
6"
10"
$32.61
$56.11
$85.57
$121.86
$215.28
$478.86
$852.82
$1,915.49
$5,291.82
$32.61
$56.11
$85.57
$121.86
$215.28
$478.86
$852.82
$1,915.49
$5291.82
Volume Rate
$ per 1,000 gallons
Threshold Existing Proposed
Residential
0 - 1,000
1,001 - 5,000
5,001 - 10,000
10,001 - 20,000
Over 20,000
$0.00
$2.86
$2.86
$2.86
$2.86
$2.17
$2.17
$2.71
$3.26
$4.34
Includes capital charge of $8 per EDU
Commercial
0 - 1,000
Over 1,000
$0.00
$2.86
$3.27
$3.27
Industrial
0 - 1,000
Over 1,000
$0.00
$2.86
$4.02
$4.02
Water Rates Structure
For more information, call (406) 628-4796
Sewer Rates Structure
Meter Size Existing Proposed
Inches
3/4"
1"
1.25"
1.5"
2"
3"
4"
6"
Multi
$29.24
$52.34
$81.29
$116.96
$208.77
$467.84
$835.39
$1,879.84
$29.27
$29.24
$52.34
$81.29
$116.96
$208.77
$467.84
$835.39
$1,879.84
$29.27
Rate, $ per
Kgal
Rate, $ per
Kgal
All Usage
$5.27 $8.45
Includes capital charge of $10.00 per EDU 5