5.4. SR 03-22-1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. and the City's costs to train in Utilities staff and transfer data. The City's cost has not been calculated; however, it is certain that Gary would spend a large amount of time dealing with the transition. As I stated earlier,. there are several other items to consider. First, those customers not currently billed by Utilities will have to mail a payment each month instead of every other month resulting in \additional postage costs of $1.74. Second, the garbage billing data base is used by the building & zoning department and for special assessment searches. The current billing system is set up to sort and inquire based on parcel identification numbers. This is\~eeded to certify delinquent garbage special assessments and to inquire when verbal or written special assessment searches are completed. This data base will be lost if the City discontinues billing; the information will still have to be used but it will be a much more time consuming process (for both the Utilities and the City). Building and Zoning would no longer have access to any parcel identification number data base. Unfortunately, the Utilities' computer system will not allow for a remote terminal which could be at City Hall for inquiry purposes. Additionally, this analysis does not take into consideration the time Gary currently spends on negotiations and general contact with the haulers, developing and establishing new programs, enforcement of the program, solid waste questions, education programs and the Garbage Appeal Board. Gary will continue to be responsible for each of these garbage related duties if the Utilities does the billing. . Finally, neither the City nor the Utilities have received customer complaints or inquiries lately regarding the possibility of writing one check for both bills. Most customers are now aware that as long as two checks are written, one to the City and one to the Utilities, the payments can be mailed together to either the City or Utilities or put in the drop box by the post office. In summary, garbage billing can certainly be transferred to the Utilities if the Council so wishes. Staffs concern is that it be done in the most efficient and least costly way possible. Councilmembers need to be aware that annual costs will increase and there will be some start up costs which the City will need to fund if the Utilities is to do the billing. Bill Birrenkott has indicated that the earliest Utilities could start billing would be January, 1994. There are, of course, other issues relating to garbage billing which are not addressed in this memo. If you have questions before Monday's meeting, please ask. I will be present at the Council meeting to address any questions you may have. .