Travis County Commssioners Court
June 10, 2003
The Closed Caption log for this Commissioners Court agenda item is provided by Travis County Internet Services. Since this file is derived from the Closed Captions created during live cablecasts, there are occasional spelling and grammatical errors. This Closed Caption log is not an official record the Commissioners Court Meeting and cannot be relied on for official purposes. For official records please contact the County Clerk at (512) 854-4722.
Item 18
Number 18 is next. That is to consider and take appropriate action on the new water delivery rates for chinatown water works.
>> good morning. The Commissioners court in 1996 approved an item for chinatown's water delivery system, but at the time that you approved the sale of the county's water delivery system, you also agreed to subsidize the water rates for about 20 customers at the time. These individual families were, of course, below the federal poverty guide lines. In that contract you allow for rate increase for water delivery to the individual families. We've been informed by chinadown water works that they are going to be increasing their water rates. What this item does is approve the new water rates and also gives us the authority to absorb the four thousand dollar increase in our current budget. What we will do is just shift monies from a line item in our emergency assistance program to do essentially the same thing.
>> and the thing is that people can still come to the precinct satellite offices, correct, and get their own water at no cost?
>> at no cost?
>> it used to be no cost.
>> at the cost of the raw water.
>> okay.
>> they have to pay for the water. But at the same cost that we pay for it from the city.
>> which is what?
>> cheap. [ laughter ]
>> okay. I just want people to know that they can come to the satellite offices to get their own water in their own containers at a cheap price.
>> they're increasing by about 50%.
>> yes.
>> the documentation that we received it supported the increase.
>> I haven't looked at the individual documentation that supported the increase.
>> what legal authority do we have to approve or not approve?
>> [inaudible - no mic].
>> I know, but Travis County's -- we pay what?
>> the amount -- for a thousand gallon deliver rirk the increase would go from $35 to $53. For a two thousand gallon delivery, the increase would go from 37 to $55.
>> my question is shouldn't we see some backup in support of this increase? It's 50%. And I don't think we ought to just rubber stamp it.
>> the contract just states that they can give us notice, written notice that they've increased the rates. And the only option that the county has under the contract is whether or not the county will absorb the difference for our clients.
>> we always have the option to ask for detailed information.
>> yes, we can ask for detailed information.
>> I think we ought to -- I don't think we ought to just rubber stamp this. Even if we are simply only entitled to notice. And I think when we see -- I mean, I don't know what when we put this provision in place we only wanted to see the amount. I assume we wanted to hear an explanation.
>> maybe it ought to go up just a dollar. I mean, maybe we have no leverage, but we ought to be bold enough to ask the questions, I guess, and that is what's this based on.
>> okay. I'll do that.
>> I mean, if my water bill doubled at home or 50%, I think i'd call the utility company and ask.
>> or check the meter. Yes.
>> I mean, if we -- even if we have very little power or authority, we ought to ask and we ought to know because some taxpayers may be on the alert and ask why did you approve that from 35 to 53? And the other thing is what is the financial hit on -- this is in your budget?
>> yes. We will be taking an additional 4,500-dollar a year hit annually. For the rest of this year it will be $2,300.
>> okay. And you have that?
>> yes. Welcome date that.
>> so the annual amount of this program for Travis County, assuming the increase is implemented, goes from what to what?
>> I think it goes from about $12,000 to $16,000. When you sell the water company, it's my understanding that you saved about $250,000 a year.
>> so that made sense at that time?
>> yes. And also with this program, as clients go off the program, we're not enrolling new clients. The commitment that the county made at the time was just to subsidize those individual that were currently enrolled. As you sigh in the backup documentation, we started with 20 customers. We're now at 20 customers.
>> and I think we ought to know the answer to two questions. One is why the increase by this amount? And two, is this the best we can do? I think the answer to the second is this is the best we can do for these customers, but --
>> it's also just potable water. It's drinkable water, isn't it? And that's what the purpose is?
>> yes. This is life or death for the residents, no question about that.
>> yes. I consider that with our basic need and emergency assistance program. I considered it to be on par with it. I will go back and ask the questions.
>> if there's objection, I think we ought to know.
>> that's fine with me.
>> 50% increase this year, another 50% next year or the year half? Is one week and a half? We can have this back on next week.
>> okay.
>> in the meantime, the folks that are receiving service will still be served.
>> yes.
>> we're not going to cut the service off?
>> no.
>> all right. Thank you.
>> thank you.
Last Modified: Tuesday, July 10, 2003 7:52 PM