Chapter 13.15
RATES AND CHARGES

Sections:

13.15.010    Rates and charges.

13.15.020    Water service.

13.15.030    Sanitary sewer service.

13.15.040    Service charges.

13.15.050    Other charges – Established.

13.15.060    Repealed.

13.15.070    Determination of charges.

13.15.010 Rates and charges.

The rates and charges for the consumption of water and sewer services furnished by the town of Mesilla, as well as the charges and fees for connection thereto, shall be determined according to the following schedule. [Ord. 2014-01; Ord. 2013-01; Ord. 2012-03; Ord. 96-02 § 1; Ord. 93-05 § 1; Ord. 91-11 § 1; prior code § 10-2-1]

13.15.020 Water service.

A. Residential Service Charges – Within Town Limits. These residential charges shall apply to single-family residences, multiple dwellings, apartment complexes, town homes, mobile home parks, and units used for domestic purposes.

Every customer whose meter is located within the town boundaries shall pay to the town for water service according to the following schedule:

 

Meter Size

Payment Schedule

5/8- x 3/4-inch meter to 2-inch meter

$10.89 per month minimum for water service which shall include payment for water used up to 3,000 gallons

Any meter larger than 2 inches

$16.01 per month minimum for water service which shall include payment for water used up to 3,000 gallons

In addition, in any month in which a customer takes more water than the indicated minimum, said customer shall pay to the town an amount equal to:

 

$1.93 per 1,000 gallons from

3,001 to

6,000

gallons

$2.06 per 1,000 gallons from

6,001 to

10,000

gallons

$2.19 per 1,000 gallons from

10,001 to

20,000

gallons

$2.32 per 1,000 gallons from

20,001 to

30,000

gallons

$2.44 per 1,000 gallons from

30,001 to all

B. Residential Service Charges – Outside Town Limits. These residential charges shall apply to single-family residences, multiple dwellings, apartment complexes, town homes, mobile home parks, and units used for domestic purposes.

Every customer whose meter is located outside the town boundaries shall pay to the town for water service according to the following schedule:

 

Meter Size

Payment Schedule

5/8- x 3/4-inch meter to 2-inch meter

$18.58 per month minimum for water service which shall include payment for water used up to 3,000 gallons

Any meter larger than 2 inches

$23.70 per month minimum for water service which shall include payment for water used up to 3,000 gallons

In addition, in any month in which a customer takes more water than the indicated minimum, said customer shall pay to the town an amount equal to:

 

$1.93 per 1,000 gallons from

3,001 to

6,000

gallons

$2.06 per 1,000 gallons from

6,001 to

10,000

gallons

$2.19 per 1,000 gallons from

10,001 to

20,000

gallons

$2.32 per 1,000 gallons from

20,001 to

30,000

gallons

$2.44 per 1,000 gallons from

30,001 to all

C. Commercial Service Charges – Within Town Limits. These commercial charges shall apply, but are not limited, to any establishment engaged in the operation of a business or an institution, whether or not for profit, including clubs, hotels, motels, schools, hospitals, stores, churches, restaurants, municipal, county, state, and federal buildings.

Every customer whose meter is located within the town boundaries shall pay to the town for water service according to the following schedule:

 

Meter Size

Payment Schedule

5/8- x 3/4-inch meter to 1-1/2-inch meter

$16.01 per month minimum for water service which shall include payment for water used up to 3,000 gallons

Any meter 2 inches and larger

$21.13 per month minimum for water service which shall include payment for water used up to 3,000 gallons

In addition, in any month in which a customer takes more water than the indicated minimum, said customer shall pay to the town an amount equal to:

 

$2.05 per 1,000 gallons from

3,001 to

6,000

gallons

$2.18 per 1,000 gallons from

6,001 to

10,000

gallons

$2.31 per 1,000 gallons from

10,001 to

20,000

gallons

$2.43 per 1,000 gallons from

20,001 to

30,000

gallons

$2.57 per 1,000 gallons from

30,001 to all gallons

D. Commercial Service Charges – Outside Town Limits. These commercial charges shall apply to, but are not limited to, any establishment engaged in the operation of a business or an institution, whether or not for profit, including clubs, hotels, motels, schools, hospitals, stores, churches, restaurants, municipal, county, state, and federal buildings.

Every customer whose meter is located outside the town boundaries shall pay to the town for water service according to the following schedule:

 

Meter Size

Payment Schedule

5/8- x 3/4-inch meter to 1-1/2-inch meter

$23.70 per month minimum for water service which shall include payment for water used up to 3,000 gallons

Any meter 2 inches and larger

$28.82 per month minimum for water service which shall include payment for water used up to 3,000 gallons

In addition, in any month in which a customer takes more water than the indicated minimum, said customer shall pay to the town an amount equal to:

 

$2.05 per 1,000 gallons from

3,001 to

6,000

gallons

$2.18 per 1,000 gallons from

6,001 to

10,000

gallons

$2.31 per 1,000 gallons from

10,001 to

20,000

gallons

$2.43 per 1,000 gallons from

20,001 to

30,000

gallons

$2.57 per 1,000 gallons from

30,001 to all gallons

E. Bulk Water Charges – Inside/Outside Town Limits. These special charges shall apply to any business or an institution requesting temporary water service through hydrant meters for the use of construction, alteration or repair of roads, buildings and/or other similar activities. These charges shall apply whether the service is provided inside or outside the town limits.

Every customer shall pay to the town for the use of the hydrant meter as well as water service according to the following schedule:

 

Description

Payment Schedule

Deposit

$250.00 (refundable)

Hydrant meter installation and use

$50.00 (one-time charge)

Monthly charges

$25.83 per month minimum for water service which shall include payment for water used up to 3,000 gallons

In addition, in any month in which a customer takes more water than the indicated minimum, said customer shall pay to the town an amount equal to:

 

$2.05 per 1,000 gallons from

3,001 to

6,000

gallons

$2.18 per 1,000 gallons from

6,001 to

10,000

gallons

$2.31 per 1,000 gallons from

10,001 to

20,000

gallons

$2.43 per 1,000 gallons from

20,001 to

30,000

gallons

$2.57 per 1,000 gallons from

30,001 to all gallons

F. Commercial and Residential Multiple Units – Master Meter.

1. Within Town. Where a master meter is located within the town and serves more than one living unit or more than one commercial unit or combination of living unit and commercial unit, in addition to all charges under this section, the customer shall pay a monthly minimum charge equal to $10.89/$16.01/$21.13, whichever applies, plus tax multiplied by the number of living units and commercial units served.

2. Outside Town. Where a master meter is located outside the town and serves more than one living unit or more than one commercial unit or combination of living unit and commercial unit, in addition to all charges under this section, the customer shall pay a monthly minimum charge equal to $18.58/$23.70/$28.82, whichever applies, plus tax multiplied by the number of living units and commercial units served.

3. Examples of multiple units include, but are not limited to, apartment complexes, guesthouses, studios, in-law quarters, and any separate building potentially used for living or business quarters.

G. Connections Charges – Within Town. In addition to all other charges, a one-time tap fee and meter charge for service to property inside the town shall be paid in advance of connection to the system by all customers for each meter as follows:

 

Meter Size

Connection or Tap Fee

Meter Charge

5/8- x 3/4-inch

$500.00

$75.00

1-inch

$600.00

$125.00

1-1/2-inch

$700.00

$225.00

2-inch and up

$800.00

Cost of meter, accessories

and extra labor

H. Connections Charges – Outside Town. In addition to all other charges, a one-time tap fee and meter charge for service to property outside the town shall be paid in advance of connection to the system by all customers for each meter as follows:

 

Meter Size

Connection or Tap Fee

Meter Charge

5/8- x 3/4-inch

$550.00

$100.00

1-inch

$650.00

$150.00

1-1/2-inch

$750.00

$250.00

2-inch and up

$850.00

Cost of meter, accessories and extra labor

I. Multiple Units – Master Meter – Connection Charges. A customer who installs a master meter to serve more than one living unit or more than one commercial unit, or combination of living unit and commercial unit, shall pay an amount equal to the number of units multiplied by the tap fee. [Ord. 2014-01; Ord. 2013-01; Ord. 2012-03; Ord. 2006-12; Ord. 2002-02 § 1; Ord. 2001-06 § 1; Ord. 96-02 § 1; Ord. 93-05 § 1; Ord. 91-11 § 1; prior code § 10-2-1.A]

13.15.030 Sanitary sewer service.

A. Sanitary Sewer Service.

1. Residential. Eleven dollars and fifty cents per month minimum for residential sanitary sewer service:

 

$0.88 per 1,000 gallons from

1,000 to

3,000

gallons

$0.98 per 1,000 gallons from

4,000 to

5,000

gallons

$1.08 per 1,000 gallons from

6,000 to

10,000

gallons

$1.19 per 1,000 gallons from

11,000 to

20,000

gallons

$1.29 per 1,000 gallons from

21,000 to

30,000

gallons

$1.39 per 1,000 gallons from

31,000 and up

2. Commercial. Fifteen dollars and fifty cents per month minimum for commercial sanitary sewer service:

 

$0.88 per 1,000 gallons from

1,000 to

3,000

gallons

$0.98 per 1,000 gallons from

4,000 to

5,000

gallons

$1.08 per 1,000 gallons from

6,000 to

10,000

gallons

$1.19 per 1,000 gallons from

11,000 to

20,000

gallons

$1.29 per 1,000 gallons from

21,000 to

30,000

gallons

$1.39 per 1,000 gallons from

31,000 and up

B. Sewer Rate outside Town Limit/Not on Town Water. Sewer rate for customers not on town water or whose property is outside the town limits: $30.00 per month. [Ord. 2014-01; Ord. 2013-01; Ord. 2012-03; Ord. 2006-12; Ord. 2001-06 § 2; Ord. 98-04 § 1; Ord. 96-04 § 1; Ord. 93-11 § 1; Ord. 91-11 § 1; prior code § 10-2-1.B]

13.15.040 Service charges.

A. Deposits – New Customers. Service will be provided to any new customer within town limits with a deposit of $50.00 for property owners and $150.00 for renters. Bulk water users will be provided with water service with a deposit of $250.00, whether inside or outside the town limits.

1. Refunds for residential property owners’ and nonresidential property owners’ water utility deposits shall, at customer’s request, be refunded or applied to customer’s account after 13 consecutive prompt monthly payments.

2. If a residential property owner or a nonresidential property owner is delinquent for two consecutive months and is shut off for nonpayment, a deposit as set forth in this chapter shall again be required for continuation of service.

3. Property owners outside town limits and renters inside and outside the town limits are not eligible for refunded deposits as set forth in subsection (A)(1) of this section. They are, however, entitled to the deposit at the time of voluntary account closure.

B. Return Check Policy.

1. Any returned checks received by the town of Mesilla for insufficient funds will be charged a $25.00 penalty per returned check.

2. No checks will be accepted by the town from any individual with two returned checks in one calendar year.

3. All customers will be notified by mail of returned items and penalty assessments.

C. Reconnection Fee for Discontinued Service Due to Nonpayment of Bill(s).

1. All customers shall be charged a $30.00 reconnection fee if service is disconnected due to nonpayment of bill(s).

2. Customer payments received by 12:00 noon of regular business day will be reconnected by the end of that business day. Payments received after 12:00 noon will be reconnected on the following business day. No reconnections will be made after normal business hours.

D. Repealed by Ord. 2006-15. [Ord. 2014-01; Ord. 2013-01; Ord. 2012-03; Ord. 2006-15 § 2; Ord. 2004-08 § 1; Ord. 2002-02 § 2; Ord. 2001-06 § 3; Ord. 96-01 § 1; Ord. 92-08 § 1; Ord. 91-11 § 1; prior code § 10-2-1.C]

13.15.050 Other charges – Established.

At the time of application for each connection to the sewerage disposal system or the water system by any premises located inside or outside the municipal boundaries, a utility development charge, hereinafter referred to as the “DCs,” shall be paid in full based on the following schedules:

A. Water Developmental Charge.

 

Water Service Meter Size

Water Developmental Charge

5/8- x 3/4-inch

$1,200.00

1-inch

$1,800.00

1-1/2-inch

$2,700.00

2-inch

$3,800.00

4-inch

$5,000.00

6-inch

$7,000.00

B. Sewer Developmental Charge.

Size of Capacity

Development Charge

*Connection Fee

Total

5/8- x 3/4-inch meter

$1,943.00

$750.00

$2,693.00

1-inch meter

$4,858.00

$850.00

$5,708.00

1-1/2-inch meter

$9,715.00

$950.00

$10,665.00

2-inch meter

$15,544.00

$1,100.00

$16,644.00

3-inch meter

$31,088.00

$1,300.00

$32,388.00

4-inch meter

$48,575.00

$1,600.00

$50,175.00

6-inch meter

$97,150.00

$2,100.00

$99,250.00

8-inch meter

$155,440.00

$4,100.00

$159,540.00

These fees are subject to change by resolution approved by the board of trustees and subject to city of Las Cruces development impact fees.

C.* Additional Charge. The developmental charge is in addition to all other fees and charges. All costs and expenses incidental to the installation and connection of the building sewer shall be borne by the applicant. [Ord. 2018-01 § 1; Ord. 2014-01; Ord. 2013-01; Ord. 2012-03; Ord. 2006-12; Ord. 2005-02 § 1; Ord. 2001-06 § 4; Ord. 98-04 § 1; Ord. 92-04 § 1; Ord. 91-11 § 1; prior code § 10-2-1.D]

13.15.060 Water leaks.

Repealed by Ords. 2005-02 and 2006-12. [Ord. 93-11 § 1; prior code § 10-2-1.E]

13.15.070 Determination of charges.

The rates and charges for water and sewer services, as specified in this chapter, shall be established from time to time in such amount as to ensure that the town of Mesilla receives sufficient income to:

A. Pay for all water and sewer charges made by the city of Las Cruces, New Mexico, to the town of Mesilla; and

B. Pay for all reasonable operating and maintenance expenses incurred by the town of Mesilla in connection with normal operation and maintenance of the water system and sewer system; and

C. Provide sums sufficient to discharge, when due, the principal of and interest on the town of Mesilla water and sewer revenue bonds and to create and maintain a reasonable reserve for such purpose. [Ord. 2014-01; Ord. 2013-01; Ord. 2012-03; prior code § 10-2-2]