PALMER LAKE, COLORADO

PALMER LAKE , COLORADO

ORDINANCE NO. 7 OF 2007

AN ORDINANCE MODIFYING THE WATER RATES FOR THE TOWN OF PALMER LAKE, COLORADO AND DECLARING AN EMERGENCY

Whereas, the Town of Palmer Lake, Colorado has determined that the current rates do not cover the costs of delivery of its water; and

Whereas, the Town of Palmer Lake, Colorado has determined that the water rates for the Town should be modified to encourage the prudent conservation of water; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Palmer Lake declares that passage of this ordinance is necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the people of the Town of Palmer Lake.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE TOWN OF PALMER LAKE, EL PASO COUNTY, COLORADO, AS FOLLOWS: 

Section 1.  Subsections (A) and (B) of 13 .02.060 of the Palmer Lake Municipal Code, Section 1 Ordinance 1-2006, Section 1 Ordinance 19-2002 and Sections 1 and 2, Ordinance 14-2000 are amended to read as follows:

13.02.060  Water Rates.  All water sold by the Town shall be sold at the following rates:

1.         As a minimum fee all metered service shall be charged as follows:

(a)        3/4" line or less             $30.52 per month.
(b)        1" line                           $50.87 per month.
(c)        12" line             $105.00 per month.
(d)        2" line                           $162.77 per month.
(e)        3" line                           $325.37 per month.
(g)        4" line                           $508.67 per month.
(h)        6" line                         $1017.33 per month.

2.         All commercial water usage shall be charged at the rate of $3.12 per One Thousand (1000) Gallons or a fraction thereof. All residential water usage shall be charged at the rate of $3.12 per One Thousand (1000) Gallons or a fraction thereof up to monthly usage of 15,000 gallons. Residential water usage in excess of 15,000 Gallons per month shall be charged at the rate of $5.09 per thousand gallons or fraction thereof for the excess usage.  The water usage charge is in addition to the minimum fee charge listed above.

3.            Each May and November the town board will review the status of the water fund and if the fund is not generating sufficient revenue shall adjust the water rates up and if the water fund is generating more revenue than is needed shall adjust the water rates down.

Section 2.  Emergency Declared.  The Town Board hereby finds, determines and declares that this Ordinance is necessary for the immediate preservation of the health, safety and welfare of the Town of Palmer Lake, Colorado because time is of the essence in preserving the integrity of the town’s water system.

Section 3.  Severability.  It is hereby declared to be the intention of the Board of Trustees of the Town of Palmer Lake, Colorado that the sentences, clauses and phrases of this ordinance are severable, and if any sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance be declared unconstitutional or invalid by the valid judgment or decree of Court of competent jurisdiction, such unconstitutionality or invalidity shall not affect any of the remaining sentences, clauses or phrases of this ordinance since the same would have been enacted by the Board of Trustees without the incorporation of any unconstitutional or invalid sentence, clause or phrase.

Section 4.  Publication and Effective Date.  The Town Clerk shall certify to the passage of this ordinance and cause notice of its contents and passage to be published or posted.  This Ordinance shall become effective January 1, 2008.

PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS ______ DAY OF DECEMBER, 2007

MALCOLM PARKER, MAYOR

ATTEST:

DELLA GRAY, TOWN CLERK