11-164 - Sewer charges — File 213869

1 CITY OF SOMERVILLE ORDINANCE NO. 2022- IN THE CITY COUNCIL: ___________, 2022 Be it ordained by the City Council, in session assembled, that Chapter 11, Article VII, Section 11-164(a)(1) – Sewer user charges, is hereby amended as highlighted in the tracked changes below: Sec. 11-164. Sewer user charges. (a) User charges. (1) Established. Charges for sewer service shall be established by the superintendent of the water and sewer department, subject to the approval of the mayor and city council. Prior to setting the new sewer service charge, the water and sewer superintendent shall conduct a public hearing on the proposed charge no later than May 15 of any given year with notice of any new charges provided to the city council at least 14 days prior to the public hearing. Any proposed new charges shall be provided to the city council on or before June 1 of any given year for its review and approval. Charges may be adjusted, subsequent to initial approval by the superintendent, with the approval of the mayor and city council, without the necessity of a public hearing, to reflect any changes in any charge assessed to the city by any governmental body or agency of the commonwealth. If any such adjustment results in a lower charge than previously set, the new charge shall take effect immediately upon approval by the mayor and city council. If such adjusted charge is higher than otherwise set, the new charge shall take effect no sooner than 30 days after approval by the mayor and city council. Except as otherwise authorized by the City Council, fFailure to hold a public hearing or provide the proposed charges to the board for its review on or before June 1 as required above shall prohibit the city from increasing charges. APPROVED: President City Council Mayor