Ordinance 78-08ORDINANCE NO. 78 .: 8u
AN ORDINANCE ADOPTING RATES, CHARGES.AND
FEES FOR CONNECTING TO AND USE OF COUNTY
CENTRAL WATER SERVICES; PROVIDING FOR
CONNECTION CHARGES; PROVIDING FOR TAPPING
CHARGES PRIOR TO CONNECTION; ADOPTING A
USER RATE SCHEDULE; RESUMPTION OF DISCON-
IINUED SERVICE; PROVIDING FOR DEPOSITS
PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF METERS TO NEW
CONNECTIONS AND RECONNECTIONS TO PRIOR
DISCONNECTS; DESCRIBING PROPERTY OWNERS
RESPONSIBILITY FOR WATER SERVICE; REQUIR-
ING COLLECTION OF WATER UTILITY BILLS;
DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE; SETTING FORTH
PROCEDURES TO REGISTER COMPLAINTS
CONCERNING WATER BILLS AND DEFECTIVE
METERS; REQUIRING PAYMENTS WHEN METERS
BECOME DEFECTIVE; AUTHORIZING RIGHT OF
ENTRY BY AUTHORIZED AGENTS TO PREMISES
SERVED; ADOPTING PROCEDURES FOR CLOSING
INACTIVE ACCOUNTS; PROVIDING FOR SEPARATE
BILLING FOR WATER AND SEWER SERVICES
PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY.
WHEREAS, Collier County through its Utility Division is
operating a Water Utility System in specific locations of
the unincorporated area of the County, o ~
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissione~cl~ires~h~
the Water Utility System be operated in an ef~nt b~sf~ess-
like and economical manner, and ~ ~, ~
WHEREAS, to assure the economic and finan3~ Well=.
being of the Utility System, adequate rates a~ fees must be
charged for water and facilities provided by the Utility
System, to compensate for all costs required to operate the
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system and provide the water services and facilities. ~
NOW ~EREFO~ BE IT O~AI~D by the Board of Cou~,~ .. ~_~
SECTION ONE: ' DEFINITIONS ~ ~ _~
For the purpose of this Ordinance, the following w~s
and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to
them as follows:
A. Bus'iness and institutional: Any commercial,
industrial and institutional enterprise, including sanitorium
domiciliary houses, resident schools, hotels, motels and all
other uses. The term "commercial" as used herein shall mean
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an establishment dealing in wholesale or retail trades or
services, including but not limited to hotels, motels,
apartment houses, rooming houses and trailers, renting
furnished or unfurnished, offices, stores, restaurants,
churches, schools and other facilities which hold themselves
out to the public as places of business.
B. '.Cu's'tbmer: Applicant for service, whose name
appears on Utility Division Records.
C. ~q~iValent unit: A living accommodation for a
single family, whether a single-family residence or a residence
in a multifamtly building.
D. Living unit: Any place of abode which is suitable.
for permanent or transient family or individual residential
use. Each such living unit shall be considered as single
and separate for the purpose of this section.
E. 'M~l'tffamily residence: Ail places of dwelling
other than a single-family residence and duplex having three
(3) or more living units.
F. 'Owner: Property Owner of Record.
G. Service connection charge.: A charge made at the
time water service is requested to cover the cost of distribu-
tion lines furnished by the system needed to serve an area.
H. ~Sin~'le'-'family residence: The term single-family
residence is defined as any single-family dwelling and is
interchangeable with the word household. Where both a
single-'family residence and a guest house occupy the same
premise, each of them would constitute a separate living
unit. In the case of a duplex, each unit shall be regarded
as a single-family dwelling.
I. Tapp'ing charge: A set charge to cover cost,of
meter, material and labor.
SECTION TWO:'SERVICE CONNECTION CHARGES
A. This service connection charge shall permit service
to any and all buildings on the lot providing said lot does
not exceed one hundred fifty (150) feet in depth.
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B. This service connection charge shall provide
service to one building (single-family residence) on any lot
regardless of depth.
C. ¥~ere a lot i~ more than one hundred fifny (150)
feet in depth, for each additional building constructed
beyond the one hundred fifty (150) feet, there shall be an.
additional service connection charge based on the width of
the lot on which the building is built, as more fully set
forth in Paragraph E of this Section.
D. The County Zoning Department shall designate size
of lot in the event of a dispute as to the size of lot.
E. Connection charges are established as two dollars
and fifty cents ($2.50) per front foot for a maximum depth
of one hundred fifty (150) feet plus one cent (0.01) per
square foot thereafter.
F. Extensions to the county's water distribution
system shall be paid for by the applicant on the basis of
the above stated connection cha~ges.
G. Should the connection charges received from an
extension project be less than the estimated project cost, a
contribution for the difference shall be 'required from the
applicant. Said contribution shall be refundable from
connection charges received annually for the extension over
a period not to exceed three (3) years.
H. Connection charges and contributions are payable
prior to construction of the extension.
I. Where developers install distribution lines at
their own expense, there shall be no connection charge to
SECTION THREE: METERS; TAPPING CHARGES
A. Meter tapping charges shall be as follows:
Meter Meter
· Size Tapping Charge
5/8" $135.00
3/4" 145.00
1" 270.00
1/4" 315.00
1/2" 365.00
2" 490.00
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individual lot owners.
B. For meters larger than two (2) inches, the tapping
charge shall be based on materials and labor costs at the
time of installation.
C. Ail necessary meters will be f~wn~h~d by the
county and shall remain the property of the county.
D. Meters must be left accessible to county employees
at all times.
E. When any customer, who has a water meter, makes
application to the Utility Division for the installation of
a larger meter to replace his smaller meter, he shall be
given credit for the tapping charges paid on the smaller
meter in accordance with the above schedule. There shall be
no refunds or credits given to any customer requesting a
smaller meter.
SECTION FOUR:'CUSTOM~R'S LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE TO EQUIPMENT
The customer is liable to the county for any damage
done to the equipment used in his service, except damage
done by county employees.
SECTION FIVE: 'RATES
A. The rates for service shall be as set forth herein.
Said rates are hereby found to be fair and equitable and may.
be changed by ordinance amending the Rate Schedule.
B. Rates charged by the County Utility Division for
water furnished to customers within the county's service
area shall be as follows:
(1) Single-Family Residence:
First 3,000 gallons: $4.17 per month.
For all water used in excess of that allowed
within the minimum charge, the rate shall be $0.65 per 1,000
gallons.
(2) Multifamily Residence:
(a) Duplex Residences - First 6,000 gallons
or any part thereof $8.34 per month. For all water in
excess of that allowed within the minimum charge, the rate
shall be $0.65 per 1,000 gallons.
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(b) Multifamily Rental Apartments: First
3,000 gallons or any part thereof $3.57 per month per apart-
ment or dwelling unit. For all water used in excess of that
allowmd wt. th{n the m~nimum charge, the rate shall be $0.65
per 1,000 gallons.
(c) Condnm{nium,:~ F~rst 3,000 gallons or
any part thereof $3.57 per month per apartment or dwelling
unit. For all water in excess of that allowed within the
minimum charge, the rate shall be $0.65 per 1,000 gallons.
(3) Business and Institutions:
First 3,000 gallons or any part thereof $4.17
per month. For all water used in excess of that allowed
within the minimum charge, the rate shall be $0.65 per 1,000
gallons.
SECTION SIX: ' DEPOSITS
A. All persons desiring water connections with the
water mains of the county shall, upon making application
therefor, deposit with the county a minimum of twenty dollars
($20.00) for each five-eighth', (5/8) and three-quarter
(3/4) inch size meter. Deposit, for all other sizes is
herein established as set forth. No meter shall be installed
and connections made with the waterworks without the receipt
of such deposit.
B. Application for water service must be made to the
County Utility Division and the following minimum guarantee
of payment deposit shall be required upon application. In
the event that a customer is disconnected for failure to pay
any water bill on a timely basis and the deposit is found to
be inadequate to cover the outstanding balance due the
county, the Utility Director shall: 1) require payment in
full of all balances outstanding, and 2) require a new
deposit in the maximum amount equal to the estimated cost of
three months consumption prior to reconnecting the customer.
Application for water servic~ will not be accepted without
specified deposit.
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5/8" x 3/4" service .......................... $ 20.00
3/4" service ................................. 20.00
1" service ................................... 40.00
1-1/4" service ............................... 40.00
1-1/2" service ............................... 40.00
2" service ................................... 40.00
Construction service blanket deposit ......... 50.00
Fire hydrant service ......................... 75.00
C. Deposits shall be refund,d upon final reading and
discontinuance of service from the county water system. The
county reserves the right to deduct final billing or any
accrued indebtedness from said deposit, and the balance if
any, shall be refunded to the depositor. Each residence or
place of business shall be considered a separate service and
a deposit shall be required for each separate service.
SECTION SEVEN: OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY FOR WATER SERVICE~
BAD DEBTS
A. The owner of property is responsible for all water
service to property. In the event service is discontinued
for nonpayment, service will be restored only after customer
has fully complied with provisions of Section 14 of this
Ordinance. The owner of property under construction must
notify the Utility Division that contractor is responsible
for water bills, while construction is in progress.
B. Bad debts will be taken off the books and the name
and amount due filed in a bad debt file. In the event water
service is requested in the future, this back debt must be
paid before water service will be furnished.
SECTION EIGHT: DATES BILLS DUE AND DELINQUENT; DISCONTINUANCE
OF SERVICE FOR NONPAYMENT; REINSTATEMENT
FOLLOWING DISCONTINUED SERVICE
A. Bills are due when rendered and delinquent fifteen
days thereafter. Service may be cut off when delinquent for
nonpayment of bills.
B. W~en service has been cut off or discontinued from
applicant's premises for nonpayment of current bills, service
will be renewed upon prompt payment of unpaid bills, a
deposit in amount herein specified for new connections plus
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a five dollar ($5.00) service fee for reinstatement, provided
however, the settlement in full is made on or before fifteen
(15) days from date of the discontinuance of such service.
C. If service,to applicant's premises be discontinued
for more than fifteen (15) days by request, or otherwise,
street cock will then be turned off and meter removed from
premises. Should applicant, at a later date, request renewal
of service for said premises, this will be done upon full
payment of all due bills against service at time of discontin-
uance, a deposit in amount herein specified for new connections,
and a reinstatement charge of thirty-five dollars ($35.00).
New applicants must pay thirty-five dollars ($35.00) to have
Service restored.
D. Billing shall begin upon registration of water on
meter, or after ninety (90) days from date of application,
whichever occurs first.
E. Application shall be made to the Utility Division
for the addition of any living units connected to the water
service lines if the units have not been included on previous
applica~ions. For violation of this section the water
service may be discontinued.
F. A fee of five dollars ($5.00) shall be charged for
all connections or reconnections of water service to reimburse
the county for .turning on the service and for establishing
billing and accounting records. Changes in location of
meters made at the request of a customer will be charged at
cost of labor and materials and is payable in advance.
SECTION NINE: PAYMENT WHEN METER BECOMES DEFECTIVE I RIGHT
OF ENTRY OF AUTHORIZED AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES
A. Should the meter on any premises become defective,
so that the amount delivered for the current month cannot be
ascertained, the customer or occupant of the premises shall
pay for that month an amount equal to the average amount
charged for the four (4) months preceding.
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B. Duly authorized agents and employees shall during
daylight hours or if called out .after dark for emergency
service have free access to any premises for the purpose of
examining the condition of fixtures, service pipe installa-.
tion and such other purposes as may be proper to protect the
'interests of the county or reading or repairing the water
meters located thereon, or turning the supply of such water
to the premises off or on.
SECTION TEN:'WATER BILL COb~LAINTS
No high water bill complaints shall be accepted for
investigation by the Utility Division unless all plumbing
fixtures, piping and outlets have been examined by a licensed
plumber who had certified that there are no leaks. If an
investigation is made by the water department and the findings
reveal the initial meter reading was accurate and the meter
is functioning properly, a reread charge of five dollars
($5.00) will be assessed the complainant.
SECTION ELEVEN: EACH RESIDENCE AND PLACE OF BUSINESS
CONSIDERED SEPARATE SERVICE
Every separate residence using county water shall be
considered a separate service and shall be charged not less
than the minimum charge.
SECTION TWELVE: METERS, LOCATION AND CHARGE FOR MOVING
Meters shall be placed Just within the property line at
the nearest point to the tap-in main. If moved at the
request of the property owner, a charge of cost plus ten
percent shall be made for the expense of moving.
SECTION THIRTEEN:INACTIVE ACCOUNTS; NOTICE~ FORFEITURE OF
DEPOSIT
The Utility Director shall certify to the governing
board a list of all water accounts that are not delinquent
but which are inactive and have been inactive for a period
of not more than six (6) months and have remained inactive
for an additional period of thirty (30) days after written
notice has been served upon the person or persons, or firms,
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in whose name said account is ~ept to the cffcct that unless
they write or telephone, or appear in person at the county
Utility Division and request a closing out of their account
and a return to them of the balance of their deposit, their
account will be closed and whatever deposit remains will be
forfeited to the county. Thereafter no depositor shall have
any r~ghts or claim to such deposit after forfeiting of any
deposit balance to the county.
It is the express intent of this section that such
deposit shall not be forfeited to the county until a poriod
of thirty (30) days has elapsed from the date the written
notice was sent to the last name and last address on the
particular account; however, the fact that such written
notice is never received by that particular person or persons,
or firm, because of the fact that they may have moved or the
insufficiency of the address that they. furnished or any
other peroon shall be of no importance and the county shall
still be entitled to declare a forfeiture of their deposit
provided the written notice was actually mailed to the last
name and address, given on the account.
SECTION FOURTEEN: COLLECTION OF WATER AND SEWER UTILITY BILLS~
DISCONTINUANCE OF SERVICE
It is the declared intention that bills for water and
sewer services furnished by the county shall be billed
separately, but Jointly enforceable. Neither bill shall
take precedent over the other, and therefore; when any bill
has remained unpaid and becomes delinquent, the water service
to the delinquent premises can be and will be discontinued
and will not be reinstated until the entire bill for both
water and sewer service is paid in full.
Customers shall maintain their own lines from the.water
.meter, and all loss of water through breaks or leakage to
the premises will be paid by the customer.
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SECTION FIFTEEN: HYDRANT SERVICE
A. Fire hydrant rentals which are connected to the
Collier County Water Utility System shall be ten dollars
($10.00) per year per hydrant installed. When water is sold
direct from hydrant, the minimum charge shall be ten dollars
($10.00) per ten thousand (10,000) gallons or less, all
above, at one dollar ($1.00) per thousand (1,000) gallons.
B. Charges for fire line or fire sprinkler service in
buildi~gs connected to the Collier County Water Utility
System shall be ten dollars ($10.00) per year.
C. Application for fire hydrant installation shall be
filed with the County Utility Division. The applicant shall
execute an .agreement agreeing to pay all costs for installation
of the hydrant. The applicant shall furnish a letter of
approval from the appropriate fire department or district
approvi~g the location and agreeing to accept ownership and
responsibility for maintenance of the hydrant. The hydrant
shall be installed in accordance with county specifications.
The Collier County Water Utility System shall be responsible
for maintenance of the hydrant valve and shall retain ownership
of said valve. The use of water from the hydrant by the
fire department or district shall be limited to those uses
relating t~ fire department operations.
SECTION SIXTEEN:
This Ordinance ,hall become effective upon receipt of
notice from the Secretary of State that this Ordinance has
been filed with the Secretary of State.
Passed and adopted by the Board of County Commissioners
of Collier County, Florida, at its regular meeting held on
21st day of March, 1978.
ATTEST
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
COLLIER C,~TY. FLORIDA
Of. R% -"Russ ~Wimer, Chairman
TY:
'Donald A~x-Fickwo~th
Collier County Attorney
STATE OF FLORIDA )
COUNTY OF COLLIER )
WILLIAM J. REAGAN, Clerk of.Courts in and for the
Twentieth Judicial Circuit, Collier County, Florida, do hereby
certify that the foregoing is a true original of:
ORDINANCE NO. 78-8
which was adopted by the Board of County Commissioners during
Regular Session March 21, 1978.
WITNESS my hand and the official seal of the Board of
County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida, this 23rd
day of March, 1978.
WILLIAM $. REAGAN
Clerk of Courts and Clerk
Ex-officio to Board of
County Commissioners
Dep~ Clerk' ~ ~,,~.\$~ ~ r. ,,,
This ordinance filed with the Secretary of State's offie~.~', '"'" :~
the 28th day of March, 1978 and acknowledgment of that "~'. ~.~' .., .'"'.' "2.'
· . .~ · .. ~.,~ ..' ~
filing received this 31st day of March, 1978 ~, .. ..'....'.' ~
Deput~Clerk ~,'
Virginia Magri