REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Approve Budget Modification No. 31 to Increase the Budgeted Amount to Purchase Water Meters for New Developments
Report
BACKGROUND
Over the past three years, the City has been experiencing very high development activity. This impacts City operations in many ways, including the water, sewer, and garbage and recycling utilities. Each new development project, regardless of type, connects to the City's water and sewer systems, and has to allocate space and facilities for the removal of garbage and recyclables. With regards to water service, the City delivers and bills for water service through water meters at each property and therefore requires the installation of water meters at each new development. The City budgets and accounts for water meters purchased for new development projects through a capital project, which keeps expenses for development related meters separate from those that are maintained and replaced through the regular operating budget. The project provides for the purchase, testing and installation of water meters, detector checks, vaults and backflow prevention devices for new developments and customers. Costs for this project are offset by developers who normally deposit funds with the City 12 to 18 months before the meters are ordered for installation. Additionally, project funding allows staff to purchase equipment ahead of time, taking advantage of bulk purchasing, and so installation can happen promptly, providing better customer service.
The budget for development related water meters is estimated based on historical average expenditures. However, due to the current high level of activity, approval of Budget Modification No. 31 is being requested to increase the budget by $191,590 for a total of $273,190 for FY 2014/15.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is not a project as defined in Section 15378 of the Guidelines to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) because it can be seen with ...
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