INC NEWS - FW: A Message from the President DCC re water rates

[Kelly Jarrett, DISC]

Melissa--

Thanks for your comments. I agree with you. And I would like to see some 
them devise some way to address landscape/grounds and other watering 
that is inessential to a business. On several occasions while we had 
water restrictions in place here, I drove by sprinkler watering the 
curbs at places (Home Depot was one), and when I went in to complain, I 
was told that they couldn't change the watering b/c it was set by 
corporate offices someplace else.

I can understand why they would need water in a garden center, nurseries 
& greenhouses, laundromats, etc would need water. But to water the curbs???

Kelly

Melissa Rooney wrote:
> FYI. I, for one, believe that businesses should be
> coerced to preserve more water and thus support and
> commend the city council's action in this regard. See
> below.
>
> Melissa
>
> _________________________
>  
>
> From: Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce (President &
> CEO.)
>  
> Dear Durham Chamber Member:  
>
> On Monday, May 5, Durham City Council approved a rate
> increase in water and water service charges for both
> residential and non-residential users.  The new
> residential rate (based on single-family homes with
> one water meter) will be determined by a five-tier
> rate structure with lower rates for lesser water
> consumption and higher rates for more water
> consumption. All non-residential users were approved
> for a flat 26.8% increase in water rates and a 157%
> increase in water service charges.  The
> non-residential increase is equivalent to the rate
> charged in tier three of the new residential rate
> structure (click here to view the new water rate
> structure).  
>
> The original proposal before the Council had an
> effective date of June 1, 2008. This date was driven
> by the City’s desire to incent residential water users
> to conserve water during the summer months. In
> addition, the implementation date was determined by
> the need to generate sufficient revenue to complete
> capital improvements to the water system and ensure
> our long term supply of water. 
>
> The Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce Board of
> Directors reviewed the proposal when they became aware
> of it two weeks ago. The Board supports the need to
> invest in the long term supply of water for our
> community and understands the need to generate the
> revenue and secure the necessary funds to make that
> investment. There is disappointment the City has not
> proposed a tiered system for the business community
> similar to the residential tiered system. However, the
> Board’s primary concern is that the projected
> implementation date of June 1, 2008 does not give
> businesses adequate time to adjust their operating
> budgets for the proposed increase. Therefore, we
> requested that City Council delay the effective
> implementation date to January 1, 2009.  
>
> At the May 5 meeting, City Council agreed to delay the
> implementation date to July 1, 2008, meaning the
> increase will be reflected in your August water bill.
> The 30-day delay does give us the opportunity to
> provide you with information as to how this increase
> will affect your business and give you some time to
> prepare.  
>
> To that end, the net affect of the action taken is
> that your water rate will increase from $1.56 per 100
> cubic feet to $1.98 per 100 cubic feet.  In addition,
> your water service charge will increase to between
> $10.82 and $1,448.87, depending upon the size of your
> water meter.  
>
> City Council strongly encouraged City of Durham staff
> to use the delay of implementation to educate users on
> the new systems and rates. The Chamber will work with
> the City staff to assist in educating the business
> community moving forward.  
>
> In the near future, the City will have a rate
> calculator on their home page that will assist you in
> determining the net affect of the increase to your
> bill. We encourage you to go online to
> www.ci.durham.nc.us to view additional information.
> Please let us know if you have specific questions or
> topics that we should address in this regard.
>
>   
>
> Casey Steinbacher 
> President & CEO
>  
>
>
>
>       ____________________________________________________________________________________
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-- 
Dr. Kelly Jarrett
Duke Islamic Studies Center
124 Franklin Center, Box 90402
2204 Erwin Road
Durham, NC 27708

Phone: 919-668-2143
Fax:     919-684-8749