§ 17-37. Purpose and Authority of Article

(A)

This article establishes procedures to facilitate the orderly expansion of the City's water supply system and wastewater treatment system and provides alternatives for funding of such expansion by those benefiting thereby imposing a user charge, which is reasonably commensurate with the burden currently imposed or reasonably anticipated to be imposed on those systems.

(B)

The City has determined that certain necessary improvements will have to be undertaken in order to provide water supply and wastewater treatment for the influx of new residents, industrial and business establishments anticipated to occur in future years. In order to finance these necessary capital improvements, several combined methods of financing will be necessary, one of which is a capital charge.

(C)

The City Council has authority, pursuant to Florida Statutes, Chapter 166, to establish a user charge, hereafter called a capital charge to pay for the necessary extension of the water and sewer systems. The amount of this capital charge has been determined on the recommendation of the City's independent utility consultants and as distilled through the process of public meetings.

(D)

The City Council adopts by reference the Water, Wastewater and Reuse Capital Charge Study dated August, 2002, prepared by Hartman & Associates, Inc.

(E)

The City Council finds that after an examination of all methods of financing, the capital charge is a necessary integral part of the financing of future water supply and wastewater systems in the City at this time, and that this charge should be reviewed on a regular basis in order to ensure that it continues to reflect a charge that is reasonably commensurate with the burden currently imposed or reasonably anticipated to be imposed on community services.