Resolution 040298

..Title Authorizing City Council's Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities to hold public hearings to investigate the proposed nearly 43% water and sewer cost rate increase to be effective July 1, 2004, requested by the Philadelphia Water Department, and in furtherance of such investigation authorizing issuance of subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents to the full extent authorized under Section 2-401 of the Home Rule Charter. ..Body WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Water Department has requested an overall rate increase of nearly 43% over a three-year period, increasing the total bill for a typical General Service Residential Customer by 42.7 percent from $42 to $60 per month, and expected to result in increased revenues of $307 million; and WHEREAS, The previous three-year cost rate increase ending June 30, 2004, increased the total bill for a typical residential General Service Customer by 9 .3%; and WHEREAS, The increase in water and sewer rates adds to the already difficult burden of those who reside in the City of Philadelphia; and WHEREAS, In the meantime this cost rate increase would be applied to the maintenance of water and sewer laterals from the main to the curb, to pay increased debt service, and to make up for losses of state subsidies; now therefore RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council's Committee on Transportation and Public Utilities is hereby authorized to hold public meetings to investigate the proposed nearly 43% water and sewer cost rate increase to be effective July 1, 2004, by the Philadelphia Water Department, and in furtherance of such investigation, the Committee is authorized to issue subpoenas as the chairperson deems necessary or appropriate to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of necessary documents to the full extent authorized under Section 2-401 of the Home Rule Charter. ..End