File #: 23-0778    Version: 1 Name: Ordinance - Water Rates Increase
Type: Ordinance Status: Adopted
File created: 5/18/2023 In control: Water Sewer Utility
On agenda: 6/7/2023 Final action: 6/27/2023
Title: AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE XXXIII, WATER, CHAPTER 4, RATES AND CHARGES, SECTION 1, RATES: GENERAL SCHEDULE, OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, 2000, BY ADJUSTING THE WATER RATES GENERAL SCHEDULE.
Sponsors: Council of the Whole
Title
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING TITLE XXXIII, WATER, CHAPTER 4, RATES AND CHARGES, SECTION 1, RATES: GENERAL SCHEDULE, OF THE REVISED GENERAL ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, 2000, BY ADJUSTING THE WATER RATES GENERAL SCHEDULE.

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WHEREAS, the water and sewer utilities infrastructure is over two hundred (200) years old and over the next decade requires an estimated One Billion ($1,000,000,000.00) in improvements; and

WHEREAS, over the next ten (10) year's annual expenses are expected to increase by Forty-Seven Million Dollars and Zero Cents ($47,000,000.00), resulting in increased deficits in 2025 which will increase to over Forty Million ($40M) by 2032; and

WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic caused a decrease of Six Million Nine Hundred Thousand Dollars and Zero Cents ($6,900,000.00) in water and sewer collections combined adding further financial stress to systems; and

WHEREAS, the prior water rate increase was March 1, 2015, providing for over Three Hundred Million Dollars and Zero Cents ($300,000,000.00) in improvements to both systems, including, but not limited to: [i] Upgrades at the Pequannock Treatment Plant; [ii] Watershed improvements; [ii] Distribution System Improvements; [iii] Collection System Improvements; [iv] Drainage System Improvements; and [v] Efficiency Improvements (further detailed in presentation provided to the Administration and Municipal Council); and

WHEREAS, the proposed water rate increases will allow for water utility improvements, including, but not limited to: [i] Consolidated and upgraded GIS; [ii] Continuing Cedar Grove Reservoir project; [iii] Cleaning, lining and water main replacements; [iv] Fire hydrant replacements; [v] Dam improvements; [vi] Pequannock Treatment Plant improvements; [vii] Watershed protection; [viii] Aqueduct Valve and access road projects; and [ix] Dissolved Air Flotation project; and

WHEREAS, the proposed water rate increases do not apply to Senior ...

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