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HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 2025-24 - Amending Code Section 13.04.084 and 13.04.210 related to energy efficiency and and energy conservation feesORDINANCE NO. , cS �Li AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS AMENDING SECTION 13.04.084, TITLED "ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ENERGY CONSERVATION FEE" AND 13.04.210, TITLED "TEMPORARY ELECTRIC METER AND ELECTRIC SERVICE TRIP FEE" OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN; REPEALING CONFLICTING ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS; INCLUDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, the City of Georgetown (the "City") owns and operates a municipally owned electric utility for the provision of electric services; and, WHEREAS, in 2024, the City adopted a fee schedule to fund energy efficiency and conservation programs that encourage residential and commercial customers to reduce energy consumption and conserve energy; and, WHEREAS, the City has determined it necessary to repeal the requirement of the funds associated with this fee to be deposited into a special revenue fund; and, WHEREAS, combining these funds with the electric fund improves financial metrics associated with the utility's bond rating; and, WHEREAS, the City has determined it is still able to appropriately account for and apply these funds towards energy efficiency and conservation programs without depositing them into a separate fund; and, WHEREAS, separately, the City originally adopted an Electric Line Extension and Electric Meter Connect Policy in March 2020; and, WHEREAS, the Line Extension Policy is reviewed and updated annually to ensure cost recovery for customer -driven electric infrastructure additions and includes fees and costs associated with temporary electric meters and service; and, WHEREAS, the City has determined it necessary to repeal pricing codified in ordinance associated with temporary electric meter and electric service trip fees; and, WHEREAS, the City has determined it necessary to regularly update these fees as part of the annual review of the Line Extension Policy. Ordinance No.: Description: Electric Rates Clean Up Date: MaAA�='1 , _ Page I of 5 NOW, THEREFORE BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF GEORGETOWN, TEXAS: Section 1. The meeting at which this ordinance was approved was in all things conducted in compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. Section 2. The facts and recitations contained in the preamble of this ordinance are hereby found and declared to be true and correct and are incorporated by reference herein and expressly made a part hereof, as if copied verbatim. Section 3. Section 13.04.084 of the Code of Ordinances is hereby amended and replaced as shown in Exhibit "A." Section 4. Section 13.04.210 of the Code of Ordinances is hereby amended and replaced as shown in Exhibit `B." Section 5. If any provision of this ordinance or application thereof to any person or circumstance, shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions, or application thereof, of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are hereby declared to be severable. Section 6. The Mayor is hereby authorized to sign this ordinance and the City Secretary to attest. This Ordinance shall become effective and be in full force and effect on June 1, 2025 and apply to all billings after that date in accordance with the provisions of the Charter of the City of Georgetown. 2 PASSED AND APPROVED ON FIRST READING ON THE /flA- DAY OF MAY 2025. PASSED AND APPROVED ON SECOND READING ON THE MAY 2025. / ATTEST: Ro yn De more, City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: Skye Aasson, City Attorney ITY DAY OF GEORGETOWN Schroeder, Mayor Ordinance No.: Page 2 of 5 Descripti n. Electric Rates Clean Up Date: "EXHIBIT A" Sec. 13.04.084. Energy efficiency and energy conservation fee. A. Availability. This monthly fee will be charged to all electric meters for all rate classes. B. Monthly rate. Rate Class Fee Residential $1.00 Net Energy Metering —Residential $1.00 Small General $1.00 Net Energy Metering —Small General $1.00 School $5.00 Municipal Water and Wastewater Pumping $5.00 Municipal $5.00 Large General $10.00 Commercial & Industrial $15.00 Large Commercial & Industrial $25.00 Very Large Commercial & Industrial $25.00 C. Sales taxes. Sales taxes, where applicable, will be charged to the consumer in addition to the above fee. D. Use of funds. Use of funds collected from the energy efficient and energy conservation fee, including all funds previously collected pursuant to this Section, shall be limited to energy efficiency and conservation program costs, activities, and financial incentives, including, but not limited to the following: 1. Program design and administration costs. a. Staffing and administrative costs. Salaries and benefits for program managers, coordinators, analysts, and administrative support personnel, along with the associated administrative costs to support such personnel. b. Consulting fees. Costs for hiring external consultants or firms to assist with program design, evaluation, and implementation. 2. Incentives and rebates. a. Direct incentives. Payments or rebates provided to consumers, businesses, or utilities for adopting certain energy -efficient technologies or practices. b. Equipment. Costs for purchasing and dispersing certain energy -efficient appliances to certain customers. 3. Marketing and outreach costs. Ordinance No.: Description: Electric Rates Clean Up Date: Page 3 of 5 a. Public awareness campaigns. Costs associated with advertising, media outreach, and educational materials to promote energy efficiency among consumers and businesses. b. Workshops and training. Expenses related to organizing workshops, seminars, and training sessions for stakeholders related to energy -saving practices. 4. Evaluation and measurement costs. a. Impact evaluation. Costs associated with conducting studies or evaluations to measure the effectiveness and outcomes of energy efficiency programs. b. Data collection. Expenses for collecting and analyzing data related to energy consumption, savings, and program participation. 5. Regulatory and compliance costs. Fees or costs associated with regulatory filings, compliance reporting, and meeting regulatory requirements set by state or local authorities. 6. Long-term maintenance and monitoring costs. Costs associated with ongoing maintenance, monitoring, and evaluation of installed energy -efficient measures or technologies. Ordinance No.: Description: Electric Rates Clean Up Date: Page 4 of 5 EXHIBIT "B" Sec. 13.04.210. Reserved Ordinance No.: Description: Electric Rates Clean Up Date: Page 5 of 5 Sec. 13.04.084. Energy efficiency and energy conservation fee. A. Availability. This monthly fee will be charged to all electric meters for all rate classes. B. Monthly rate. Rate Class Fee Residential $1.00 Net Energy Metering —Residential $1.00 Small General $1.00 Net Energy Metering —Small General $1.00 School $5.00 Municipal Water and Wastewater Pumping $5.00 Municipal $5.00 Large General $10.00 Commercial & Industrial $15.00 Large Commercial & Industrial $25.00 Very Large Commercial & Industrial $25.00 C. Sales taxes. Sales taxes, where applicable, will be charged to the consumer in addition to the above fee. D. Use offunds. Use of f iunds collected lion the energy efficient and energy conservation fee, including all funds previously collected pursuant to this Section, Nvill be (let)ositl ice+ eci�e�+x�ef�cl:-��i t+sh�I) br limited to energy efficiency and conservation program costs, activities, and financial incentives, including, but not limited to the following: Program design and administration costs. a. Staffing and administrative costs. Salaries and benefits for program managers, coordinators, analysts, and administrative support personnel, along with the associated administrative costs to support such personnel. b. Consulting fees. Costs for hiring external consultants or firms to assist with program design, evaluation, and implementation. 2. Incentives and rebates. a. Direct incentives. Payments or rebates provided to consumers, businesses, or utilities for adopting certain energy -efficient technologies or practices. b. Equipment. Costs for purchasing and dispersing certain energy -efficient appliances to certain customers. 3. Marketing and outreach costs. (Supp. No. 31, Update 1) Created: 2025-04-23 07:02:37 [EST] Page 1 of 2 a. Public awareness campaigns. Costs associated with advertising, media outreach, and educational materials to promote energy efficiency among consumers and businesses. b. Workshops and training. Expenses related to organizing workshops, seminars, and training sessions for stakeholders related to energy -saving practices. 4. Evaluation and measurement costs. a. Impact evaluation. Costs associated with conducting studies or evaluations to measure the effectiveness and outcomes of energy efficiency programs. b. Data collection. Expenses for collecting and analyzing data related to energy consumption, savings, and program participation. 5. Regulatory and compliance costs. Fees or costs associated with regulatory filings, compliance reporting, and meeting regulatory requirements set by state or local authorities. 6. Long-term maintenance and monitoring costs. Costs associated with ongoing maintenance, monitoring, and evaluation of installed energy -efficient measures or technologies. (Supp. No. 31, Update 1) Created: 2025-04-23 07:02:37 [EST] Page 2 of 2