MAYOR’S OFFICE OF
COMMUNICATIONS
55 Trinity Avenue, Suite 2500
Atlanta, Georgia 30303 |
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| CONTACT: |
Sandra Allen Walker, Director |
| Office |
404-330-6395 |
| Cell: |
404-925-1666 |
| E-mail: |
swalker@ci.atlanta.ga.us |
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or |
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LaChandra Butler |
| Office: |
404-330-6248 |
| Cell: |
404-886-2334 |
| E-mail: |
ldbutler@ci.atlanta.ga.us |
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November 11, 2003 |
Water and Sewer Rate Refinements
and General Information Prepared By: Rob Rivers and Sandra Walker
November 14, 2003
1) Affordability
* Supporting the Clair Muller amendment for a
conservation life-line rate. This means the increased rates
will only
apply to water usage above 3 CCFs or 2,250 gallons. The average
usage
is 7-8 CCFs. This item does not require a change in the overall
rate
proposal; it does assist in maintaining an affordable city and
promotes water conservation for both residents and small businesses.
* The city will utilize a variety of CDBG
programs to provide assistance to low and moderate income ratepayers,
including: Community Housing Resource Center Emergency Home
Repairs,
Project Extend by Wesley Community Centers, Housing Weatherization
by
Southeast Energy, Owner Occupied Rehab by the Bureau of Housing,
and
Home Repair Program by Atlanta Tool Bank to assist in the conservation
effort.
* The conservation life-line rate will remain
effective over the full 5-year period.
* Mayor Franklin is committed to advocating
with the Council for the conservation life-line rate.
2) Care and Conserve Program
* Established in 1995, the fund provides
assistance for low-income families for emergency bill payments
and
plumbing repairs. The fund, which averages $110,000 yearly,
provided
assistance for 432 customers in 2003 (208 received repair assistance
and 224 received cash vouchers to assist with payment).
* The 2004 proposed budget contains $110,000
in funding for the Care and Conserve Program. Mayor Franklin
has
requested that Grants Management identify an additional $25,000
during
the first quarter of 2004 to be matched by private and corporate
donations, with an initial goal of a $150,000 support fund for
2004
to meet the needs of low income ratepayers.
3) How we will spend the rate increase funds
* For the first year, funds will pay for debt
service on previous loans, for operating costs associated with
consent
decree projects and will cover revenue shortfalls due to prior
years'
cost/expenditure miscalculations.
* Year 2-5 rates will provide annual principal
and interest payments for the $2.5 billion bond program will
cover
consent decree and capacity water and sewer projects for the
years
2004 - 2008.
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