Laserfiche WebLink
2 <br />conserve in the summer when the capacity issue is the greatest. Mr. Lynch said inclining <br />rates shift the cost from small users to large users without looking at their efficiency. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards sai d Mr. Lynch's objective is a good one, and said we need to think <br />ahead to increased capacity. She said she is interested in an individualized rate structure <br />though she understands that it cannot be done with our current billing system. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling sai d that conceptually if we could keep tabs on the number of <br />people in a household the individualized rate structure would be the most fair, but he does <br />not think it is practical. Mr. Schilling said he would consider seasonable rates only if the <br />rates were so low in the winter as to offset the higher summer rates. He said that if <br />businesses are charged more for water, this cost will be passed on to their customers. He <br />said a fixed charge tied to the meter can be justified. He said he would like to look at the <br />numbers of a declining block rate. He said he would like to know what the fluctuation is <br />among single family households between winter and summer. He said the current system <br />in a way appears to be the most equitable. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said there is someth ing to that. He said that the rate could be tied to <br />the reservoir levels. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati noted that complaints last year were about the instability of the rates. <br />He said he thinks seasonal rates are the way to go, but he would like to find a way to <br />incen tivize conservation and would like to step up other conservation programs such as <br />providing rebates for things such as low use washing machines. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said he would like to see savings for single family households and for <br />conservation. He said if seas onal rates can take the strain off single family users he could <br />support it. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said he is still interested in looking at a block structure with more <br />information on demographics. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said the block structure seems inequitable. He sa id season rates get <br />us where we need to be. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox asked Councilors if they want to continue the existing rate structure until <br />June or change it. <br /> <br /> Mr. Schilling said he would agree to continue the existing rate structure until June <br />and get more informa tion in order to possibly make a change at that time. <br /> <br /> Ms. Richards agreed and said time is also needed to educate the public. <br /> <br /> Mr. Cox said information is needed on the impacts on the budget for any <br />subsidies for affordable housing. <br /> <br /> Mr. Caravati said some communities have low income family rebates. <br /> <br /> Council agreed that the hookup fee should be increased to that charged by <br />Albemarle County. <br /> <br /> Council agreed to continue the existing rate structure until June. <br /> <br /> Council agreed that the rebate program sho uld be continued. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said he would like to explore a level base rate only if the County does <br />the same. <br /> <br /> The meeting was adjourned. <br /> <br />______________________________ ____________________________ <br />President Clerk <br />