AGENDA TITLE:
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Adopt a Resolution Approving Lodi Electric Utility Fee Schedule and Authorizing Annual Cost Based Adjustments (EU)
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MEETING DATE:
February 18, 2026
PREPARED BY:
Melissa Price, Assistant Electric Utility Director
recommendation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Adopt a resolution approving the Lodi Electric Utility Fee Schedule and authorizing annual cost-based adjustments.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On January 7, 2026, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 2035 updating existing and establishing new guidelines for the processing and recovery of revenues associated with costs incurred by Lodi Electric Utility (LEU) as a result of utility theft as well as disconnection and reconnection of service to support customer electric infrastructure upgrades.
The updates included in Ordinance No. 2035 were needed to ensure that fees, originally established in 2012, were accurately reflecting both labor and material cost increases realized over the past several years. Updates were also needed to address work completed by LEU staff outside of normal business hours and work associated with panel upgrades necessitated by more current industry trends and customer demands such as electric vehicles, solar/battery storage and accessory dwelling unit additions.
A separate resolution is now needed to update existing and establish new fee amounts. The chart below summarizes those proposed fee amounts as calculated for Fiscal Year 2025/26 with the detailed fee schedule included as Attachment 1:
|
Service Fee Description |
Original (2012) |
Proposed Business Hours / After Hours |
|
Theft Inspection Fee |
$ 75.00 |
$ 73.00 / $ 92.00 |
|
Field Services Dispatch Fee |
$ 75.00 |
$ 73.00 / $ 92.00 |
|
Troubleshooter Dispatch Fee |
$120.00 |
$158.00 / $257.00 |
|
Meter Set/Dispatch Fee |
$115.00 |
$131.00 / $212.00 |
|
Damaged Meter Test Fee |
$ 57.50 |
$ 70.00 / $106.00 |
|
Disconnect/Reconnect Fee |
NEW |
$158.00 / $257.00 |
|
Material Fee Description |
Original (2012) |
Proposed |
|
Meter Ring Fee |
$ 17.00 |
$ 43.00 |
|
Padlock Fee |
$ 7.00 |
$ 10.00 |
|
Meter Cover Fee |
$ 3.00 |
$ 3.00 |
|
Damaged Meter Replacement Fee: Single-Phase/Poly-Phase/Solar |
$ 60.00 / $450.00 / N/A |
$ 90.00 / $540.00 / $435.00 |
|
Remote Connect/Disconnect Meter Replacement Fee |
$ 300.00 / $430.00 |
$224.00 |
LEU staff surveyed a number of utilities and, as expected, fee amounts vary based on each utility’s actual costs which differ based on compensation as well as meter type. However, fee types across most utilities are similar in purpose to recover costs.
The proposed fee amounts for LEU will take effect immediately if approved by Council and will be updated July 1 of each year based on fully burdened labor rates (including any labor contract changes), as well as average cost for all applicable inventory items. Updated fees will be posted on the City’s website and available at City offices.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Regularly updating fees is crucial for ensuring cost recovery by adjusting for factors like inflation and labor contract adjustments.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
Not applicable.