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CASSCLBERRY CITY COMMISSION Minutes of August 26, 2024 — Regular Meeting Page 9 of 15 C. First Reading of Ordinance 24-1608 — Amending Chapter 86, Utilities, Article III, Water of the City Code of Ordinances The City Clerk read Ordinance 24-1608 by title, as follows: "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CASSELBERRY, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 86, UTILITIES, ARTICLE III, WATER OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES, SECTIONS 86-189(4), 86-266,86-267,86-268, TO INCREASE RATES FOR POTABLE IRRIGATION FOR BACKFLOW TESTING AND TO UPDATE THE CROSS -CONNECTION CONTROL CODE; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, CONFLICTS, SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE." Staff Presentation: Acting Utility Divisions Director Jiovani Charres stated that approval on first reading of Ordinance 24-1608 amending Chapter 86, Utilities, Article III, Water of the City Code of Ordinances to update the City's Cross Connection Control Program for the addition of Residential Backflow Testing services is requested. Currently, customers with potable irrigation are required to have cross connection control devices, otherwise known as backflows or backflow preventers to prevent cross contamination to the City's potable water supply. This is based on the Florida Department of Environmental Protection's guidance and standards. Based on those standards, the City requires backflows to be tested every two years to ensure proper operation. Staff has noticed that this is very inconvenient for residents to obtain and coordinate with contractors for their backflow testing services, and staff has also become aware that some neighboring municipalities and government entities such as Orange County, City of Orlando, City of Maitland, City of Longwood, and the Toho Water Authority have all begun providing backflow testing services to their residential customers. After internal evaluation of the cost and program requirements, staff have opted to also provide these services to residents of Casselberry. A cost analysis performed showed that the cost per test for residents is typically around $50 per test, whereas, the City has been able to procure a contract that reduced the cost to approximately $24 per test, so splitting the $24 cost between the 24 months to meet the testing requirements, has resulted in a base fee increase of $1 per month for only potable irrigation customers. The change does not affect reclaimed customers. It is estimated that there are currently approximately 1650 residents on potable irrigation which would cost approximately $40,000 for the City to provide these services. The residential backflow testing service does not impact the current fiscal year and the Fiscal Year 2025 budget does take into account these services and the necessary amount, plus a small contingency amount, has been budgeted. The ordinance also updates various sections to modernize the cross -connection control section since it was last updated in 1993, which includes some general title changes such as updating Public Works Director to Public Works and Utilities Director and providing a vehicle for staff to update the related cross -connection control manual through future City Commission resolutions. The Commission as a whole commended staff for researching the potential for this program which will be of great benefit to the City's residential potable irrigation customers. Budget Impact: There is no impact on the Fiscal Year 2024 City Budget. This change has been considered in the proposed Fiscal Year 2025 Budget. Recommendation: The City Manager and the Public Works and Utilities Director recommended approval of Ordinance 24-1608 on first reading. Audience Participation: No one came forward to address Ordinance 24-1608.