CC 08/24/2020 Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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CASSELBERRY CITY COMMISSION Minutes of August 24, 2020 — Regular Meeting Page 6 of 15 8. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Future Agenda Items Vice Mayor Hufford expressed concerns about water rates and quality, suggesting the possibility of deferring the upcoming annual utility rate increase for six months to help mitigate some of the hardships being experienced by utility customers due to the pandemic. He inquired whether timing of the scheduled utility rate study could be moved up and stated he would like to hear from staff about how these issues might be addressed. City Manager Randy Newlon stated he understood the concerns being voiced and advised an ordinance was in place that requires the City to increase its rates for water, sewer and reclaimed water on October 111. However, due to the current recession and the global pandemic causing some utility customers to be out of work, it was feasible to consider deferring that rate increase for a period. City Attorney Katie Reischmann advised that an emergency ordinance could be adopted by the City Commission to defer the increase for a specified period of time and Mr. Newlon advised that if directed by the City Commission such an ordinance could be prepared for consideration at the September 1411' regular City Commission meeting. Each of the Commissioners expressed support for deferring the rate increase for a period of six months and Mr. Newlon advised staff would have an ordinance prepared for the next regular meeting. Mr. Newlon then addressed the question of whether the scheduled utility rate study could be moved up from FY 2022, noting that the study was a very comprehensive analytical exercise requiring the assistance of experts at an estimated cost in the tens of thousands of dollars. However, he advised that if directed by the City Commission staff would try to move the study into the next fiscal year if possible. Discussion: Discussion ensued regarding the feasibility of moving the utility rate study up and incurring the expense for doing so, after which the Commission agreed by consensus to have the City Manager direct staff to do an internal rate study comparing the City's rates with surrounding cities and the County, and after a review of those results a determination could be made whether to proceed with moving the formal utility rate study up to an earlier date based on the findings. B. Municipal Advisory Committee (Metroplan)Report No report. C. Council of Local Governments in Seminole County (CALNO) Report No report. D. Leadership Seminole Board Report No report.