AGENDA ITEM REPORT
TITLE:
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AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CITY’S CODE OF ORDINANCES, BY AMENDING CHAPTER 6, “BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS,” ARTICLE IV, “BACKFLOW PREVENTION REGULATIONS,” SECTION 6-52, “FEES,” TO PROVIDE FOR INCREASED FEES FOR RECERTIFICATION OF BACKFLOW PREVENTERS. (FIRST READING)
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BACKGROUND:
Each water supplier has a responsibility to provide water that is usable and safe to drink under all foreseeable circumstances. Pursuant to Section 6-49, “Responsibility,” of the City’s Code of Ordinances, the City’s Utilities and Engineering Department is responsible for ensuring implementation of annual testing and renewal requirements for the backflow prevention assemblies to control cross connection and protect public systems against backflow. In 2016, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) mandated utilities to achieve one hundred percent (100%) compliance within the calendar year per Section 62-555-360(2)(b), Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.) The current fee to administer this program is $60 per year for all devices.
DISCUSSION:
The City contracted with Hydrocorp, Inc. to administer the backflow recertification program and meet the FDEP requirements. There are 1,860 backflow preventers within the City’s service area, including domestic, commercial, and fire lines. To cover testing costs and administration fees, it is necessary to increase the fees from $60 to $80 for domestic and commercial backflow preventers and to $165 for fire backflow preventers.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance.
FISCAL IMPACT:
REVENUES: $ 191,500
EXPENDITURES: $ 0
BUDGETED? Yes
NOTES: Account 41-V34334 - Backflow Prevention. The amount collected will be used to cover testing and administrative costs for the backflow recertification program.