AGENDA TITLE:
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Conduct a Public Hearing, waive the first reading and introduce an Ordinance Amending Lodi Municipal Code Section 13.12.181 (C) “Domestic Sewer Service Charges (Metered Accounts)” (PW)
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MEETING DATE:
November 4, 2026
PREPARED BY:
Christina Castro, P.E., Public Works Director
recommendation
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Conduct a public hearing, waive the first reading and introduce an ordinance amending Lodi Municipal Code Section 13.12.181(C), Domestic Sewer Service Charges (Metered Accounts), and waive the first reading by title only.
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City calculates monthly residential sewer charges for metered accounts based on average winter water consumption, which is intended to approximate the amount of water discharged into the wastewater system. Under the current Lodi Municipal Code, charges are recalculated annually on July 1 using average water consumption during December, January, and February, when outdoor irrigation is typically reduced.
To better account for seasonal weather variations and fluctuations in water consumption, staff recommends expanding the evaluation period to include March. Under the proposed methodology, the City would review water consumption for December through March, exclude the month with the highest consumption, and average the remaining three months to establish the customer's sewer billing volume for the upcoming year.
This modification provides greater flexibility in accounting for seasonal irrigation patterns and unusual consumption during individual months while maintaining the existing winter averaging approach. The proposed amendment changes only the methodology used to determine sewer billing volume and does not modify the adopted sewer rates.
The proposed ordinance amendment is attached for Council consideration.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The proposed amendment does not change adopted sewer rates. Actual revenue impacts, if any, will depend on customer water consumption patterns.
FUNDING AVAILABLE:
Not Applicable