HomeMy WebLinkAbout033741 ORD - 09/09/2025One -reading Ordinance amending Corpus Christi Code Section 55-100 to update
wastewater rates effective January 1, 2026
Whereas, the City of Corpus Christi last amended its wastewater rates which took effect
January 1, 2025;
Whereas, the City Council has received presentation on proposed amendments to the
wastewater rates to be effective January 1, 2026 and finds that the proposed rates are
just and reasonable and rely upon reasonable methodologies to allocate costs of
providing service in calculating the cost of service;
Now, therefore, be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Corpus Christi,
Texas:
Section 1. The City Council specifically finds that the foregoing statements included in
the preamble of this ordinance are true and correct and adopts such findings for all intents
and purposes related to the authorization of this ordinance.
Section 2. That the City Code Section 55-100 is amended to revise wastewater rates as
shown in redline text as follows on attached and incorporated Exhibit A.
Section 3. The rates as amended by this Ordinance are determined to be just and
reasonable. In addition, the rates are not unreasonably preferential, prejudicial, or
discriminatory but are sufficient, equitable, and consistent in application to each class of
customers.
Section 4. If for any reason any section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase, word,
or provision of this ordinance shall be held invalid or unconstitutional by final judgment of
a court of competent jurisdiction, it shall not affect any other section, paragraph,
subdivision, clause, phrase, word or provision of this ordinance, for it is the definite intent
of this City Council that every section, paragraph, subdivision, clause, phrase, word or
provision hereof be given full force and effect for its purpose.
Section 5. Publication shall be made in the official publication of the City of Corpus Christi
as required by the City Charter of the City of Corpus Christi.
Section 6. This rates as amended by this ordinance take effect January 1, 2026.
Section 7. Upon written request of the Mayor or five City Council members, copy
attached, the City Council: (1) finds and declares an emergency due to the need for
immediate action necessary for the efficient and effective administration of City's affairs
and (2) suspends the Charter rule that requires consideration of and voting upon
ordinances at two regular meetings so that this ordinance is passed and takes effect
u. •n first reading as an emergency measure on this 1k day of September, 2025.
P. ss d a,• appr%• on the i1' day of September, 2025.
T:
Paulette Guajardo,
033741
eI ecca Huerta, itjr Secretary
SCANNED
Corpus Christi, Texas
91' day of
,2025
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
Corpus Christi, Texas
For the reasons set forth in the emergency clause of the foregoing ordinance, an
emergency exists requiring suspension of the Charter rule as to consideration and voting
upon ordinances at two regular meetings. I/we, therefore, request that you suspend said
Charter rule and pass this ordinance finally on the date it is introduced or at the present
meeting of the City Council.
Respectfully,
Council Members
ctfully,
Paulette Guajardo
Mayor
The above ordinance was passed by the following vote:
Paulette Guajardo
Roland Barrera
Sylvia Campos
Eric Cantu
Gil Hernandez
Kaylynn Paxson
Everett Roy
Mark Scott
Carolyn Vaughn
EFFECTIVE DATE
033741 I)
EXHIBIT A
PART III - THE CODE OF ORDINANCES
Chapter 55 - UTILITIES
ARTICLE VII. WASTEWATER RATES
ARTICLE VII. WASTEWATER RATES1
Sec. 55-100. Schedule.
(a) The monthly charge to be paid by users of wastewater service furnished by the city's municipal sewer
system, except as otherwise provided in articles VII and XI of chapter 55, shall be based on the amount of
water used by the user according to the following rates:
Classification —Residential
Effective
January 1, 202&6
Inside city limits
One -family minimum monthly charge (first 2,000 gallons)
$35.11 38.29
One -family per 1,000 gallons over 2,000
$&A. 8.41
Inside city limits
One -family maximum monthly charge (up to 25,000 gallons)
$220.72 231.72
Outside city limits
One -family minimum monthly charge (first 2,000 gallons)
$30.05 33.12
One -family per 1,000 gallons over 2,000
$8.07 8.41
Outside city limits
One -family maximum monthly charge (up to 25,000 gallons)
$216.16 226.55
Classification —Commercial
Effective
January 1, 202&6
Inside city limits
Commercial minimum monthly charge (first 2,000 gallons)
$416.10 38.29
Inside city limits
Commercial per 1,000 gallons over 2,000
$8 0-7 8.41
Outside city limits
Commercial minimum monthly charge (first 2,000 gallons)
$39.15 33.12
Outside city limits
Commercial per 1,000 gallons over 2,000
$&A- 8.41
'Editor's note(s)—Ord. No. 029160, § 1, adopted July 26, 2011, renamed art. VII "Wastewater Rates." Previously
art. VII was entitled "Sewer Rates."
Corpus Christi, Texas, Code of Ordinances
(Supp. No. 42, Update 2)
Page 1 of 3
Created: 2025-07-28 13:32:25 [EST]
(b) By May 1, 2020, the amount of water used to compute the monthly bills for wastewater service to one -
family residential customers shall be computed on the basis of the "winter quarter average usage" that is
calculated pursuant to this subsection and every year thereafter.
(1) Definitions.
a. Winter quarter averaging wastewater charge period: The period of water and wastewater service
during the three (3) preceding winter quarter months of December, January and February. The
initial winter quarter averaging wastewater charge period occurs during the months December
2019 through March 2020.
b. Winter quarter average usage: The monthly wastewater usage established by the city during the
"winter quarter averaging wastewater charge period" based upon the customer's thirty -day
average water consumption during that period.
c. Interim residential average usage: The monthly wastewater usage established by the city for
individual customers who have not established a "winter quarter average usage". The "interim
average" is calculated annually based on the average "winter quarter average usage" for all
residential customers during the "winter quarter averaging wastewater charge period" as
determined each year, and is the basis for monthly wastewater charges until a "winter quarter
average usage" as defined in subsection (b)(1)b. of this section is established for the individual
customer.
d. Service area: The geographic region served by the city's wastewater system.
(2) Winter quarter average criteria.
a. The customer must receive wastewater service at one (1) location during the entire winter
quarter averaging wastewater charge period in order to establish a "winter average usage".
b. "Winter quarter average usage" charges shall apply to one -family residential customers only.
c. The following method will be used to calculate the customer's "winter quarter average usage":
1. Add the customer's water consumption during the winter quarter averaging wastewater
charge period to determine total winter quarter consumption.
2. Divide total winter quarter consumption amount by the number of days between the
reading in December and the latest reading in March to determine the average daily usage.
In the event a reading in December does not exist, the most recent prior reading will be
utilized.
3. Multiply the average daily usage by thirty (30) to determine winter quarter average usage.
Such winter quarter average usage shall be limited to a maximum of twenty-five thousand
(25,000) gallons.
d. The following method will be used to calculate the customer's monthly wastewater charge: apply
the applicable wastewater rates established in subsection (a) to calculate the customer's monthly
wastewater charge. The adjusted rate that applies to service on and after May 1 will reflect
wastewater usage based on the previous "winter quarter averaging wastewater charge period."
A new winter quarter average usage shall be calculated by May 1 annually based upon the
amount of water used during the winter quarter averaging wastewater charge period.
e. New and relocating customers; adjustments:
1. Customers new to the service area, who have not established a "winter quarter average",
shall be billed at the "interim average" rate.
(Supp. No. 42, Update 2)
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Created: 2025-07-28 13:32:25 [EST]
2. Customers who are relocating within the service area, who established a "winter quarter
average " at their previous address, shall be billed at the "interim average rate" or their
"winter quarter average" rate at the previous address, whichever is less.
3. Customers who are relocating within the service area, who have not established a "winter
quarter average" at their previous address, shall be billed at the "interim average" rate.
4. When a customer experiences a substantial increase in water or wastewater usage from
hidden water leaks in the plumbing system during the winter quarter average charge
period, and if the customer can produce proof of repairs, the director of water utilities or
the director's designee may adjust the wastewater bill.
f. The city will begin in March 2020 to implement winter quarter averaging as soon as the city
billing system has been programmed to calculate the wastewater bills utilizing winter quarter
average usage.
(c) The rates established in subsection (a) of this section are based upon water consumption for wastewater
service customers with wastewater characteristics of five hundred sixty-two (562) parts per million or less by
weight of chemical oxygen demand index, two hundred fifty (250) parts per million or less by weight of
biochemical oxygen demand index, and two hundred fifty (250) parts per million or less by weight of
suspended solids index. If the wastewater characteristics exceed any of these parameters, the customer shall
pay additional abnormal wastewater surcharges as provided in section 55-148.
(d) Due to the extreme cold weather event in February 2021, the wastewater winter quarter average usage
(WQA) will not be recalculated in 2021. Instead, the amount previously calculated as the WQA in 2020 will be
used as the WQA for wastewater service in May 2021 through April 2022. A customer may request a review
and adjustment of their WQA calculation on a case -by -case basis if they have objection to use of their 2020
WQA.
(Code 1958, § 38-49; Ord. No. 9863, § 1, 7-29-1970; Ord. No. 11612, § 1, 8-8-1973; Ord. No. 12209, § 1, 8-7-1974;
Ord. No. 12656, § 1, 6-25-1975; Ord. No. 13860, § 1, 8-3-1977; Ord. No. 15700, § 1, 8-13-1980; Ord. No. 16448, § 1,
8-12-1981; Ord. No. 17156, § I, 7-28-1982; Ord. No. 17763, § 1, 8-3-1983; Ord. No. 18352, § 1, 7-24-1984; Ord. No.
18940, § 1, 7-23-1985; Ord. No. 19403, § 1, 7-29-1986; Ord. No. 20412, § 1, 7-26-1988; Ord. No. 20748, § 1, 8-8-
1989; Ord. No. 21001, § 1, 10-9-1990; Ord. No. 21440, § 1, 7-21-1992; Ord. No. 21662, § 1, 5-25-1993; Ord. No.
21671, § 1, 6-8-1993; Ord. No. 21814, §§ 1(e), (f), 12-14-1993; Ord. No. 21965, § 1, 6-14-1994; Ord. No. 22743, § 1,
11-12-1996; Ord. No. 23706, § 1, 7-20-1999; Ord. No. 24132, § 1, 7-25-2000; Ord. No. 24531, § le, 7-24-2001; Ord.
No. 24969, § 6, 7-23-2002; Ord. No. 25396, § 6, 7-22-2003; Ord. No. 025866, § 5, 7-27-2004; Ord. No. 026368, § 5,
7-26-2005; Ord. No. 026900, § 5, 7-25-2006; Ord. No. 027355, § 5, 7-24-2007; Ord. No. 027781, § 7, 7-22-2008;
Ord. No. 028256, § 5, 7-28-2009; Ord. No. 028690, § 1, 7-20-2010; Ord. No. 029160, § 3, 7-26-2011; Ord. No.
029917, § 7, 7-30-2013; Ord. No. 030242, § 4(Exh. A), 7-29-2014; Ord. No. 030295, § 5, 9-23-2014; Ord. No.
030605, § 4, 9-8-2015; Ord. No. 031244, § 2, 9-12-2017; Ord. No. 031874, § 1, 9-17-2019; Ord. No. 032093, § 1, 4-
21-2020; Ord. No. 032421, § 1, 4-27-2021; Ord. No. 032552, § 2, 9-7-2021; Ord. No. 032854, § 1, 9-6-2022; Ord.
No. 033149, § 2, 9-5-2023; Ord. No. 033467, § 2(Exh. A), 9-17-24)
(Supp. No. 42, Update 2)
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