HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 2024-023 An Ordinance of the City of Arlington, Washington Amending Arlington Municipal Code Chapters 13.12 and 13.28 Pertaining to Stormwater Utility Rates ORDINANCE NO. 2024-023
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ARLINGTON, WASHINGTON
AMENDING ARLINGTON MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTERS 13.12 and 13.28 PERTAINING TO
STORMWATER UTILITY RATES
WHEREAS, the City of Arlington has the authority to set rates and charges for its utility
system; and
WHEREAS, the City of Arlington continues to examine equitable rates for water, sewer,
and stormwater service; and
WHEREAS,the City wishes to correct two sections of the municipal code to confirm that
it has the right to send delinquent accounts to collection; and
WHEREAS, the City Council considered this amendment at their workshop on September
23, 2024 and at their regular meeting held on October 7, 2024, and determined approving the
amendment was in the best interest of the City and its citizens;
NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Arlington do hereby ordain as follows:
Section 1. Arlington Municipal Code section 13.12.210 shall be and hereby is amended
to read as follows:
13.12.210- Due date for charges.
The monthly utility bill for water, sewer, and stormwater service shall be paid
immediately upon billing and will be considered delinquent if not paid in full twenty
calendar days from the billing date in which the service was originally charged. A grace
period of five calendar days from the due date will be allowed before penalties are
assessed. A penalty of five percent for each thirty days or fraction thereof shall be
assessed against all delinquencies after said grace period. In the event that the city shall
turn over an account under this chapter to an attorney, collection agency or other
person for collection, the person responsible for payment of the account shall be
responsible for actual costs of collection, including collection agency fees, reasonable
attorney's fees and other costs incurred in collection.
ORDINANCE 2024-023 1
Section 2. Arlington Municipal Code Section 13.28.270 shall be and hereby is amended
to read as follows:
13.28.270-Storm and surface water rates.
(a) General. The city council shall establish service rates within AMC 13.12 for the
operation and maintenance of the drainage system, for related drainage services, and
for the operation of the stormwater utility, which shall establish classifications of
customers or service and rate structures, using any method or methods authorized by
law. In the event that the city shall turn over an account under this chapter to an
attorney, collection agency or other person for collection, the person responsible for
payment of the account shall be responsible for actual costs of collection, including
collection agency fees, reasonable attorney's fees and other costs incurred in collection.
(b) Rate Basis. Drainage rates shall be based on revenue requirements necessary to
cover all costs of the utility, as authorized by the city council, the adoption of the annual
budget and subsequent amendments and shall be guided by adopted financial policies
and bond covenants.
(c) Rate Adiustments. Rates shall be evaluated periodically as part of the review and
adoption of the annual budget. Rate adjustments shall be recommended by the director
as needed to meet revenue requirements of the utility. The recommendation shall
consider equity, adequacy, costs, NPDES II requirements and other factors allowed by
law.
(d) Rate Relief. The city council may establish drainage rate relief measures, as
authorized by state law and as detailed in the stormwater credit manual, for specific
customer classes where, through site design, regular system maintenance, education
and other approaches, the impacts of stormwater on the drainage system are reduced.
Section 3. Severability. Should any section, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase
of this Ordinance, or its application to any person or circumstance, be declared unconstitutional
or otherwise invalid for any reason, or should any portion of this Ordinance be preempted by
state or federal law or regulation, such decision or preemption shall not affect the validity of
the remaining portions of this Ordinance or its application to other persons or circumstances.
Section 4. Effective Date. This Ordinance or a summary thereof shall be published
in the official newspaper of the City. The Ordinance shall take effect five (5) days after
publication as provided by law.
ORDINANCE 2024-023 2
PASSED BY the City Council and APPROVED by the Mayor this 7th day of October, 2024.
CITY OF ARLINGTON
Don E. Vanney, Mayor
Attest:
Wendy Van 6er Meersche, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
St en J. e' e
City torney
ORDINANCE 2024-023 3
CERTIFICATION OF ORDINANCE
I, Wendy Van Der Meersche, being the duly appointed City Clerk of the City of Arlington,
Washington, a municipal corporation, do hereby certify that the following Ordinance No.
2024-023 was approved at the October 7, 2024 City Council meeting.
ORDINANCE NO. 2024-023
"AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ARLINGTON,WASHINGTON
AMENDING ARLINGTON MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTERS 13.12 and 13.28 PERTAINING TO
STORMWATER UTILITY RATES"
A true and correct copy of the original ordinance is attached.
Dated this 8th day of October, 2024
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Wendy Van 15er Meersche
City Clerk for the City of Arlington