A. Monthly Rates and Fees. The city water board, with concurrence of the city council, shall establish monthly rates and fees for water usage. The monthly fee consists of two components: the “readiness to serve fee” which is a flat rate for all customers based on the size of connection and a “quantity unit rates” based on the quantity of water used. A complete schedule of all rates and fees authorized to be charged for water service shall be kept in the city’s local offices where they will be available for public inspection.

B. Availability Fees. Notwithstanding agreements otherwise, the city water board, with concurrence of the city council, shall establish availability fees for water service facilities required to enable development of all areas served by the city water system. Such fees are declared to be necessary to compensate the city for the expense incurred in furnishing source, storage, and water distribution facilities, and related capital project expenses, including, but not limited to, costs of acquisition and financing and necessary costs of operation, maintenance, replacement, improvement and extension of the water system.

Each fiscal year, the water department shall submit to the water board a proposed availability fee schedule. The availability fee shall be adjusted annually by the Construction Cost Index defined in Bakersfield Municipal Code Section 15.84.030. Also, the fee schedule shall be further adjusted to reflect all city expenses incurred as set forth in the previous paragraph. The fee shall be adopted by resolution of the city council following a noticed public hearing.

C. All applicants for service where availability fees are to be paid shall sign a domestic water service contract. The required fee must be paid at the first occurrence of either the issuance of a building permit or the recordation of a final map. No final map allowing construction shall be recorded nor any building permit issued prior to payment of proper fees for water service. (Ord. 5103 § 9, 2022; Ord. 4732 § 1, 2013; Ord. 4344 § 1, 2006; Ord. 3504 § 3, 1992; Ord. 2660 § 3, 1981; prior code § 1.46.120)