Ord 3129 10/19/1976 ORDINANCE NO. 3129
AN ORDINANCE FIXING AND DETERMINING THE GENERAL
SERVICE RATE TO BE CHARGED FOR SALES OF NATURAL
GAS TO RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONSUMERS
WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS OF WICHITA FALLS, WICHITA
COUNTY, TEXAS, AND PROVIDING FOR THE MANNER IN
WHICH SUCH RATE MAY BE CHANGED, ADJUSTED AND
AMENDED.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE
CITY OF WICHITA FALLS, TEXAS, THAT:
Section 1: Effective with the first gas bills ren-
dered from and after thirty (30) days from the date of
final passage of this ordinance, the maximum general
service rate for sales of natural gas rendered to residential
and commercial consumers within the city limits of Wichita
Falls by Lone Star Gas Company, its successors and assigns,
is hereby fixed and determined as follows:
First 1, 000 cubic ft. or fraction thereof $2 . 55
Next 7, 000 cubic ft. 1. 90 per Mcf
Next 12, 000 cubic ft. 1. 83 per Mcf
Next 30, 000 cubic ft. 1. 78 per Mcf
Over 50, 000 cubic ft. 1.76 per Mcf
No gas bill will be rendered to any residential or commercial
consumer served under the above rate not consuming any gas
during any monthly billing period, except that where customer' s
only use for gas service is in an outdoor grill and/or a
fireplace starter, the amount shown for the first consumption
block shall constitute a minimum monthly bill.
ADJUSTMENTS
The amount of each monthly bill computed at the above-
stated rates shall be subject to the following adjustments:
plus or minus the amount of any increase or decrease, respec-
tively, above or below $1.3488 per Mcf level in the intra-
company city gate charge as authorized by the Railroad
Commission of the State of Texas; such adjustment shall
be made under Railroad Commission Order GUD 588 dated
June 30, 1975 for gas delivered to Lone Star Gas Company' s
distribution system for sale to residential and commercial
consumers where such changes are caused by increases or
decreases in the cost of gas purchased by the company.
Simultaneously with its filing each month with the
Railroad Commission its certified statement of weighted
average cost of purchased gas and the gas cost adjustment
as required by GUD 588, Lone Star Gas Company shall file
a copy of such statement with the City of Wichita Falls.
The gas cost adjustment shown on such monthly statement
shall be applied to each net monthly bill rendered thirty
or more days after such monthly statement is filed with
the City of Wichita Falls, unless such gas cost adjust-
ment is disallowed by the Railroad Commission, or is delayed
or suspended by the Board of Aldermen as hereinafter set
out. The Board of Aldermen may suspend the implementation
of the gas cost adjustment whenever it appears necessary
to protect the public interest. In the event the gas
cost adjustment is suspended by the Board of Aldermen,
the City Manager shall cause a public hearing to be
set on the agenda of the next regularly scheduled meeting
of the Board of Aldermen, and the Board of Aldermen shall
hold a public hearing to determine if the suspension of
the gas cost adjustment should be continued or vacated.
The amount of each monthly bill shall also be subject
to an adjustment in an amount equivalent to the propor-
tionate part of any new tax, or increased tax, or any other
governmental imposition, rental, fee or charge (except
state, county, city and special district ad valorem
taxes and taxes on net income) levied, assessed or imposed
subsequent to May 1, 1976, upon or allocable to the
Company' s distribution operations, by any new or amended
law, ordinance, or contract.
Company, at its option, may forego the application
of any adjustment if such adjustment would result in an
increase in the monthly bill; however, failure of Company
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to apply any adjustment shall not constitute a waiver of
Company' s right from time to time, or at any time, to
make any adjustment, in whole or in part, in any subse-
quent current monthly bill that may be applicable to such
bill.
The amount billed shall be due and payable within
fifteen (15) days from monthly billing date; in the
event that payment is not made within fifteen (15) days
of the monthly billing date, a five (5) percent penalty shall
be added to the amount billed.
The above rate is applicable to each residential and
commercial consumer per meter per month or for any part
of a month for which gas is used at the same location.
In addition to the aforesaid rates, Company shall have
the right to collect such reasonable charges as are
necessary to conduct its business and to carry out its
reasonable rules and regulations in effect.
In addition to the monthly certified statements,
Lone Star Gas Company shall file with the City on April
15th and October 15th of each year the Company' s estimated
projected purchase gas cost for the next six calendar
months subsequent to such filing date. The Board of
Aldermen will have ten days following the filing of such
projections during which it may request additional infor-
mation or explanation from the Company concerning such
projections. In the event the Board of Aldermen request
additional information or explanation concerning the
projection, the Board of Aldermen shall, not later than
November 20th and May 20th of each year, either accept or
take whatever action be deemed appropriate in connection
with the additional information or explanation furnished.
The six months' projection will reflect the projected
gas cost as well as how the rate would be affected by the
projection as well as a comparison to the preceding six
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months as to projections and actual gas cost.
Section 2 : The rate set forth in Section 1
may be changed and amended by either the City or
Company furnishing gas in the manner provided by law.
Service hereunder is subject to the orders of reg-
ulatory bodies having jurisdiction, and to the Com-
pany' s Rules and Regulations currently on file in
the Company' s office.
Section 3: It is hereby found and determined
that the meeting at which this ordinance was passed
was open to the public as required by Texas law, and
that advance public notice of the time, place and
purpose of said open meeting was given.
PASSED AND APPROVED on this the /W day of
, 1976.
A Y O R
ATTEST:
1 1 ' E'
City Clerk
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