HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0689.011 1996-1998
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J. CUKTIS'fYLER, III : ~,L~;, 'Tel: (808) 961-5273
Couneilmrrnber Pax: (808) 969-3291
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COUNTY COUNCIT,
County of Hauf~i3i .
Hawaii County Buildi»,~
25 Aupuni Streef
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
February 17, 1998
TO: JAMES ARAKAKI, Chairman
Hawaii County Council
FROM: J. CURTIS TYLER, III, Councilmember
Hawaii County Council
RE: Attached Correspondence from Walter C. Decker,
relating to Bill 193
Please number and refer the attached communication from Walter
C. Decker, dated February 6, 1998 relating to Bill 193
Wastewater Service Charge rates.
Thank you.
CT:ls
Presenfe ~,N~ ~ ~
itef. 'Put
?ef. [sets, Fr6 1 8'1998_.
77-6399 Nalani St., Suite 7-A Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 Kona Telephone: (808) 326-5634 Pax: (808) 326-5697
KONA INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT COMPANY
76-6305 Kahefau SL • Kana, Hawaii 96740 • (808) 3269331
- February 6, 1998
TO: The Honorable Joe Reynolds
• County Councilman, South Kona
INFO: Atl Members, County Council
FROM: Walter C. Decker, Owner
Kona Industrial Development Company
RE: County Wastewater Charges
In 1997, the Kona Hale Hana Centre, 74-5583 Luhia Street, Kona Business Park,
Ka(lua-Kona, was charged $2,533.94 for 1,216,000 gallons of water and $3,181.29 for
wastewater, or a ratio of over 1 to 1.25. However, as 513,000 gallons (please see be-
low) was used for landscaping, we were actually charged for the non-landscaping water
of 703,000 gallons:
70~
000 x $2,533.94 = $1,464.93 + the wastewater charge of $3,181.29 = $4,646.22
1,216,000
for the 703,000 gallons of water that entered the sewer's wastewater system, or
$6.61/1000 gal. versus $2.08/1000 gal. for the 513,000 gallons of water used for land-
scaping. I would suggest that an increase from a rate of $2.08 to a rate of $6.61 is rather
significant - as well as being unfair.
As a back up to the above, let us look at what we used 1994 thru 1997. Our only use of
water in 1994 and 1995 was for landscaping. In January 1996, Gold's Gym was
opened, with a separate sub-meter. Hence, water used in 1996 and 1997 included
landscaping and Gold's Gym usage.
Total Used Total Used Used for
Per Dept. of Gold's Gym
Water ~oply Per Sub-^^~ter Landscaoina
1994 262,000 gal. -0- 262,000 gal.
1,000 gal/day 1,000 gal/day
Joe Reynolds ,
February 6, 1998
Page Two
(2 months)
1995 460,000 gal. 16,000 gal. 444,000 gal.
1,260 gal/day 260 gal/day 1,220 gal/day
1996 812,000 gal. 564,000 gal. 248,000 gal/
2,220 gal/day 1,540 gal/day 680 gal/day
1997 1,216,000 gal. 703,000 gal. 513,000 gal.
3,320 gal/day 1,920 gal/day 1,400 gal/day
TOTALS 2,850,000 gal. 1,283,000 gal. 1,567,000 gal.
• With the introduction of waste water charges:
Total Water Water Wastewater Landscaping
Used Bill Bill Water
1997 1,216,000 gal. $2,533.94 $3,181.29 513,000 gal.
2 months
1996 123.000 aa?. 209.10 434.73 3,000 aal.
TOTALS 1,339,000 gal. $2,743.04 $3,451.89 552,000 gal.
Hence, 552,000 gallons of water out of a total of 1,339,000 gallons that we paid for
between November 2, 1996 and January 8, 1998, was used exclusively for landscaping,
none of which ever entered the sewer's wastewater system but, cost us:
I andsca~a,
Water = 552.000 x Wastewater charge of
Total Water Used 1,339,000
$3,451.89 =sewer charge for NON-USE of sewer of $1,422.62.
We're in the process of installing a second water meter for landscaping use only. Will we
get a refund of $1,422.62 when this is completed?
As to the combined water/wastewater rates: Is this what the County Council thinks is fair?
Total Gott of Water 1995 $774.05 = $1.68/1000 gal.
Total Water Used 1995 460,000 gal.
Total GoM of Water + Wastewater 1997 = $5.715.23 = $4.70/1000 gallons
Total Water Used 1997 1,216,000 gal.
An increase in our water rate of $1.68/1000 gals. in 1995 to a waterlWastewater rate of
$4.70!1000 gallons in 1997. This is what the County Council thinks is a fair increase?
.Joe Reynolds
' February 6, 1998
Page Three
What should be done to this obnoxious wastewater charge for it to become equitable? As I
don't know what is trying to be achieved, I don't have a solution recommendation. I just
know that an additional "tax" equal to 125% of my water bill for no increase in service is
totally unwarranted.
Several years ago, when my building was built, second meters for landscaping were not
allowed by the County -nor was the additional cost of installing a second meter justifiable.
However, when Gold's Gym opened, because of the huge increase in water that they
alone would be using, we installed a separate sub-meter to measure water used by them.
From a landlord's point of view which is more important, to measure a tenant's huge use of
water that the tenant pays for, or a separate meter for landscaping purposes that all ten-
ants pay for? Obviously the sub-meter for the single tenant. Otherwise, how would one
know how much that tenant yeas to pay? And the balance of water used would be charged
proportionately to all other tenants. No tenant would pay a bill for anything other than his
own sub-meter.
That's not the way the Wastewater Division saw it when I requested a landscaping exemp-
tion last August. At a cost to me of several thousands of dollars, they insist on a separate
meter for the landscaping arjd would not accept my sub-meter for Gold's Gym. We're in
the process of having a second water meter installed for our landscaping water, but the
design required by the County, time and money are all working against us. In the mean-
time, this insane wastewater charge goes on. And, we are required to pay all charges, re-
gardless of their fairness, before we are even allowed to appeal these gross charges.
If we have to pay a wastewater charge for no increase in service, it should at least be fair.
Even the $10lmonth per tenant charge is unfair as we have one tenant, Gold's Gym, that
uses water and seven that use no water. We even have one bay, without water, that we let
a church choir store their stands they use when they perform, at no cost to them for the bay.
Are we being charged extra for this?
What incentive is there for our business to make charitable contributions if the government
comes along and charged that business for so doing? '
.
Please enact a better wastewater charge system.
DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY UtF'HKINItNI Uh WHItK JUYriY
COUNTY OF IIAWAII
COUNTY OF HAWlVI 25 AUPUNI STR[Ei - FIILO, IIAWAII 96i.'U
2v AUP' STREET ~ I IILO. I IAWAII 06120 PHONE (8W7 961-8660
.ONE (808)961-8660 DAi~oi_BTii _,-I
~ I N B DATE OF Bill -
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~ DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPI. DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPPLY
COUNIV OF HAWAII COUNTY OF HAWAII
25 AUPUNI STREET ~ HI(O. I IAWAIi 96720 25 AUPUNI STREET - I~IILO. HAWAII 46l;U
VHONE (808) 967-8660 PHONE (8087 961-&rt}U .
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DEPARTMENT OF WATER SUPF DEPARTME ~r~0 nGV~~C'fER~SU~~PL~'
couNrv of HAwnu
COUNTY OF HAWAII 25 AUPUNI STREET - HIlO, HAWAR v~!.'U
25 AUPUNI STRCEi - HIlO. I1AWAll 46120 PHONE (BOB) 961-BG60
PHONE (808) 961-8660
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WASTEWATER D.IV1510N
couNEroPHAWA6
' ~~~,.;rr: ~ ~ 25 AUPUNI STREFF•Ean,ElAwAll%720
. .PHONE MOP •8338
' scRVICE NuMeRR snl
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UNIT CHARGE 40.00
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SEYVER 811E
WASTEWATER DIVISION WAS~'EWATER•DIVISION
wuNTY oP HAwAII
ZS AUPUNI STREET • NRO. HAWAO 96720 25 AUPUNI STRET • E8E0. NAWA1196720 E
' PHONE 18081 %1.8376 PHONE I60W %1-0338
Sl NUM R DA1F a RRl SFRVI RER EI l
t:,7-905o:{-il 7/:~?/v7 857-96868- /26/97
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CURRENT CHARGES 4' 7 • CURRENT CHARGES '
PREVIOUS CHARGES 3 • ~ 1 GE5'QM9 ~ r 873.40
VAYI+Ic"+TS ~•5.::~ ~4'!~'ib4s"R ~,oso.zo
~o(z(Q? D ' UNIT CHARGE. 40.00
CONSMP Ct1ARGE ~ 549.16
ill TO Tel TOT
f
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SEWEf. SEIIVER•BILL '
:T.E.~„.•r .
WASTEWATER DIVISION ~ {p/~'E
COUNTY OP HAWM - a.T:~~'^,• 8 ~a
25 AUPUNI STREET • MIlO, MAWAR %710 CJ
PHONE MOW 961.83]6 l ~ .
SERVICE R TE OF Bpt ~ I,r"'
857-96868-0 9/26/97 • ,'h'.•
CURRENT CHARGES 642.40 ~
PREVIOUS RGES 7. b0 _ ~ r'.
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05/06 07/07 1.080.20 •'xr';'• '
DEI.INaUENT
5EWER~L~.IIFFGIIIIiIIIILIIIr. '
I .
Lawmakers '
rejec# relief
for sewer
customers
By JASON ARMSTRONG
West Hawaii Today
HILO -New county sewer Robert Thompson, a Kona Bay
rates have some customers paying Estates homcowncr, said his sewer
huge irtcrcascs :tnd others urinal- bill jumped from $36 to $210
ing outside to lower expenses, yet because he waters his lawn and
these and other first-hand fills a swimming pool with water
accounts failed m convince law- that never reaches the county's
makers Thursday to back relict sewage treatment plant.
legislation. "Over in Kona, we have to use a
Bimonthly bills since July have fair amount of water fur landscape
been based on water use under a irrigation," he told committee
(ee schedule the Hawaii County members. "I do object to being sin-
Council'x Finance Commi«oe gled out along with other pcoplc
voted 5-3 nut w change tkspile who live in Wcst Iiawaii."
pleas Crom several customers. Judy Dailey, another Kona Bay
An estimated two-thirds of the Esmtcs homcowncr, said her recent
6,241 homes, apartments and busi- sewer bill was $585 for a two-
ncsses served by the county's month period.
sewer system arc now pay much M;y~a -Iykaki ;t papaikou resi-
highcr bills. The cost incrcasc arc dent, said he is also facing higher
due to a consumption surcharge for sewage fccs lxcausc his grandson
water use that exceeds a spwilic uses a lot of water to raise fish for
limit, such as 12,000 gallons a a school science project.
month Cor single-family house- ••Witry the consumption fccs, now
holds.
From Page 1A just the $20 monthly flat rate riot exemptions to lower their
we men use the bathroom out- received support only from com- scwcr bills.
doors:' Tukaki said. "Wc arc forced mitlcc Chairman Aaron Chung of Lawmakers who voted against
«r do these unsanitary things Hilo, Hamakua Councilman repealing the conswnplion sur-
bccausc of the usage of water." Dominic Yagong and North Kona charges said Utey fcel the maxr
Councilman Curtis'fylcr. mum-use amounts arc reasonable.
Repealing the consumption sur- •q believe there is no reasonable They also expressed concerns
charges would cut sewer revenues nexus between water usage and about losing millions of dollars Urat
by $2.8 million a year, according to sewer usage; 'Chung said. are earmarked for county opcra-
acounty estimate prepared for law- Tyler noted county scwcr cos- lions.
makers. tomcrs may install a second meter The full council is expected w
A bill that would asses customers to naucc impntion use or seek oar- 'vote on the relief bill in two wccks:
council OKs 25W percent sewer rate hike
y JASON ARMSTRONG tomcrs, whose rata rlI t c 6 YP
'esl Hawaii Today "Wc need to make sure pcoplc Landscape irrigation and other begin with," North Kona
HILO -The county's rcsidcn- arc paying for the services: Ka'u high-demand water uses have Councilman Curtis'rylcr said.
d scwcr rates will incrcasc Crom Councilman John Santangelo said. resulted in about 15 percent of res- Opposition to Utc higher rates.
t0 to $2S per month, :dthough "This is a fair and cyvitable policy idential customers paying the sur- came from Hamakua Counr;ihnar
rstomers will no longer Ix: subject that's going to benefit the people" charge, according to county Dominic Yagong and Fiilr
a surcharge Cor excessive water Sewer rates must generate records. Some pay more than $100 Councilman Aaron Chung.
:c under the new Oat-rate plan. enough revenues to offset opera- a month for sewer services. Yagong called the consumpuot
The Hawaii County Council lion and maintenance costs for the Lawmakers agreed to switch to a (ee "totally unfair" and suggests
xcd 7-2 Wednesday to approve county to comply with the condi- ?at rate in an effort to achieve n keeping the $20 Ilat rate fur yea
.c new rates, which arc expected buns of federal grants used to par- fairer system that would still gener- and then evaluating the pn,gram-
i take effect :n the smrt of the next Bally finance iW system. arc the same of revenues as the cur- "All we're doing m moving th
mmonthly billing cycle. Rates (or the county's 2,4W sin- rent system using the surcharge. chairs around:' he said.
A second Council vote, expected gle- and multiple-Camily cusWmers "This really isn't too much of a Chung said customers came
t two wccks, is rcyuired before the rose from $I8 per month to the cur- burden to bear," Kohala Council- withstand a cwnbincd $7 month)
cw rate will become law. rent $20 last July I. The rate plan man]ohnRaysaidofhisbillimpos- incrcasc in less thou a year. I
A surcharge fur ezccsxrvc watu included a surcharge of $3.55 for ing the Bat $25 monthly rate. "(II is called for a compromise mecca.
~c will cuntmuc to be applied to every 1,000 gallons of water above Utc) most equitable and responsible of $3 per month, although oth
.c ~ ounty's 7W commercial cos- the limit of 12,W0 gallons per way to address the sitUauon:' lawmakers rc(uscd to support tha