* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmembers Kraft and Curran
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
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Informational Hearing - Increases to Water, Sewer, and Miscellaneous Fees
FOR the purpose of requesting the Department of Public Works to report to the Council on the proposed water, sewer, and miscellaneous fee increases scheduled to take effect on May 19, 2011; to provide the Council with detailed information regarding the need for the proposed increases, including infrastructure needs and federal mandates; to describe any other funding sources that were considered by the Department to address these needs; to list the opportunities that were given for public comment; and to describe assistance available to those households for whom these increases would create financial hardship.
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Recitals
On April 13, 2011, the Board of Estimates approved the scheduling of a public hearing for the proposed increases to the water and sewer rates. The 9% increase would result in $88 more per year being paid by the average family of four. Liens may be placed on homes with unpaid water bills, and in many cases are enforceable through the sale of the affected properties.
This will be the third consecutive year that these rates will be increased, and DPW officials have stated publicly that increases are expected to continue and may be higher in the coming years.
A public hearing on these rate increases is scheduled for 9am on May 18, 2011. As the rate increases would go into effect on the following day, the timing of this hearing leaves little opportunity for the concerns expressed at this hearing to be incorporated into the Department's actions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That the Director of the Department of Public Works is requested to report to the Council on the proposed water, sewer, and miscellaneous fee increases scheduled to take effect on May 19, 2011; to provide the Council with detailed information regarding the need for the proposed increases, including infrastructure needs and federal mandates; to describe any other funding sources that were considered by the Department to address these needs; to list the opportunities that were given for public comment; and to describe assistance available to those households for whom these increases would create financial hardship.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Director of Public Works, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the City Council.
dlr 11-2446~intro/04May11
ccres/WaterInfo/ef:tw