I received today from City staff two charts showing water rates for all 15 entities retailing water in Anderson County or near enough to Anderson County to purchase water from the Joint System. One shows the 23 different costs for 4500 gallons/month (600 cubic feet) and the other for 6000 gal/mo (800 c.f.). I am told that the average residential customer on Anderson's system uses 600 c.f. per month which equates to 4500 gal/mo. However, many agencies across the state use the 6000 gal/mo figure as an average. Thus the two different charts.
The chart for 4500 gal/mo shows that the average cost among the eight municpalities (including Homeland Park) operating in Anderson County or buying water from the Joint System is $20.39 (ranging from a low of $15.88 to a high of $30.15) for "inside" residential customers and $29.97 (ranging from a low of $21.35 to a high of $37.15) for "outside" residential customers. The average cost among the other seven non-municipality members of the Joint System is $18.83 (ranging from a low of $13.95 to a high of $$23.75) for residential customers.
I will be happy to make both charts available to anyone who is interested. Perhaps someone will volunteer to create a link, but I am afraid that is beyond my current computer skill level. The above averages were my calculations based on the charts prepared by the City staff so feel free to get copies of the charts, double check my math and make whatever other calculations you desire.
As for the City tax base figure, the total assessed value of $73,496,000 is for all taxable property types, including residential, commercial and personal property. The owners of these properties pay both City and County taxes on that property. - Steve Kirven
Thank you, Councilman. Those corrections were important if continuing conversations on dual water rates and dual tax rates are to take place using accurate figures. I compliment you on the courtesy of a reply.
I have the following comments that perhaps you would consider:
1. The sources for disputing the contention that average usage is 600 cubic feet rather than 800 is twofold:
First, the City’s audited financials for fiscal 2007 show 800 cubic feet used for a residential monthly bill. ( See Exhibit G-4, page 79.).
Second, the statement by Jeff Caldwell, Anderson’s utility director in an article in AIM dated 4/30/06:
“ For example, an Electric City Utilities average customer uses 800 cubic feet of water per month. That’s 6,000 gallons. “
2. As for the contention that owners of the assessed value of $73,496,000 pay City and County taxes on that figure:
The City’s ’ Issues Overview ‘applies the county’s tax rates for EMS, roads and sheriff against that number and says this is the duplicated county taxes
that city resident’s pay.
That figure includes ‘motor vehicles’, ‘commercial properties’. ’other personal property’, and excludes ‘tax exempt’ items.
It seems to me that owners of ‘commercial properties’ may not be city residents, and some may pay PILOT fees rather than regular tax rates. I also question if there is a dual tax paid on ‘motor vehicles’ for the alleged duplicated services. Finally, the categories ‘other personal property’ and ‘tax exempt’ need clarification as to what they comprise..
Since we are trying to compare apples to apples, wouldn’t an equivalent to non-resident
residential water rates be the county tax rate applied only to
residential properties ?
Is my understanding accurate that non-residential commercial and industrial users do not pay double water rates ?
Councilman Kirven, I do appreciate your indulgence, and I hope you agree that the June meeting will proceed more smoothly if the numbers to be discussed are understood and agreed to as accurate beforehand.
Finally, I appreciate your offer of a copy of the computations used on other utility rates and would like to take advantage of it. I will send you an email with my address so you can snail-mail me a copy of the charts, if you can’t make them an attachment.
I thank you for that kindness.
