HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP PWC 008 01/29/1985 1984-1988 ---= REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS
•
DATE: January 29 , 1985 Re: Comm. 1743
TIME: 10 : 30 a .m.
PLACE: Councilroom
Chairman and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Public Works to which was referred Communication 1743
relating to sewers , reports as follows:
Communication 1743 is a transmittal letter which explains the submission
of Bill 1142 to the Hawaii County Council . It provides a brief summary
of the purpose of Bill 1142 along with comparative data on the proposed
user fees adjustments .
First , Bill 1142 proposes amendments to Hawaii County Code 1983 which
clearly allows a combined sewer user charge system based on actual use
and ad valorem taxes . The combined sewer charge system, where the users
pay charges based on actual use and where the funds or charges are based
on ad valorem taxes (a portion of real property tax revenue to our
general fund ) , has been the accepted practice within the County . The
amendments clear up the language in our Code to facilitate our dealings
with the Federal Environmental Protection Agency .
Second, Bill 1142 proposes adjustments to the sewer user fees to making
the rates uniform throughout the island . In doing so, the Bill
establishes rates for both residential and non-residential uses .
Residential user charges are being proposed on a flat monthly rate of
$7 .50 for service to residential customers which include service for
single-family dwellings , duplexes , apartment buildings , housing projects
and service stations . The flat rate will also speed up our billing
process .
Non-residential user charges are being proposed for service to
non-residential customers which include industrial , commercial ,
agricultural , governmental and miscellaneous service users and hotel ,
condominiums , townhouses and dormitories at a rate based on 65 percent of
the customers water bill . Special consideration is being given where
water for coolers or swimming pools are included in the water consumption
totals . Also, sewer charges will not be levied on water used for
irrigation and other uses when a separate meter is installed and the
water drawn is not discharged into sanitary sewer system.
PWC REPORT NO. 8
ADOPTED: FEB 8 1985
PWC -8 Page 2 January 29 , 1985
Finally Bill 1142 proposes a number of "housekeeping" changes where
sections within the Sewer Code are renumbered .
Your Committee on Public Works has received testimony from our Department
of Public Works supporting Bill 1143 as necessary for future Federal
sewer funding subsidy. Your Committee has also been advised that the
rate adjustments will generate additional revenues for our Sewer Fund .
The sewer rates for Hilo and Kona were last adjusted in 1965 .
The Committee on Public Works is in agreement with the technical aspects
of the proposed amendment . The Committee, however , takes exception to
the "housekeeping" or renumbering of sections of the Sewer Code in Bill
1142 and to the effective date of the proposed ordinance . Your Committee
therefore recommends that Bill 1142 Draft 2, which clears up these
"housekeeping" shortcomings and establishes an effective date of
September 1 , 1985 , be adopted by the Council n first reading .
I 1f44,4 71. /
f RLE K. LAI, CH\IRWOMAN
ilk A I
,✓RUSSELL KOKUBU , VICE CHAIRMAN FRANK DE LUZ , III , MEMBER
��TAAAKASHI DOMINGO, ME BER ROBERT HERKES, MEMBER
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