By JIM BUTLER
Councilman at-large Jules Green proposes prohibiting by law termination of Alexandria utility services during extraordinary extreme weather conditions.
His ordinance revisions to that effect will be introduced at Tuesday’s city council session.
They would incorporate into City Code no involuntary terminations of electricity, water and/or natural gas service in defined conditions, codifying what has been indicated as informal policy in some past instances.
Green’s revision would prohibit nonpayment cutoff on any day when the previous day high was not above 32 degrees and official predictions are the high will be at or below that freezing point for the next 24 hours.
On the other extreme it would bar cutoff when an excessive heat warning is issued within 12 hours of the heat index reaching 105 for more than three hours per day for two consecutive days, or a heat index of 115 for any period of time.
Current service code, adopted in May 2004, gives the city the right to terminate primary services when an account is 10 days past due. Code also allows up to 60 days for resolution of any disputed charges.
Outside disputed balances, the city has rights to terminate at 45 days past due and close the account.
At 60 days, it has the right to send the account to collection.
The ordinance – Section 26 of the City Code – has no climate references and the language is couched in “rights to” rather than “shall”.
The proposal comes as council members ponder when, or if, they are going to move on overhauling a rate structure dating to 1986.
Combined Utility System revenues currently have a multifunction – pay for the operation and maintenance of the system, pay required service on bonded debt and make budgeted transfers to other city funds.
How long it can continue all those functions, or if it should, are the heart of the matter.
A study report last August recommended rates increases to reflect today’s costs and needs.
Mayor Jacques Roy, acknowledging there is no political gain in doing so, has prodded the council to look at the rate structure with the aim of making it more reflective of the 21st Century.