HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.a. MCES Water Efficiency Rebate
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Utility Commission Meeting: April 17, 2017
AGENDA ITEM: MCES Water Efficiency Rebate AGENDA SECTION:
Old Business
PREPARED BY: Erin Fasbender & Christine Watson AGENDA NO. 5.a.
ATTACHMENTS: None APPROVED BY: LJM
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Motion to recommend City Council approval to:
• Continue the water rebate program with internal funding through June 30, 2017 and
• Re-apply for additional grant funding if the program is renewed by the MCES
BACKGROUND
The City of Rosemount is one of 19 metro cities that was awarded a Water Efficiency Grant from the
Metropolitan Council (MCES). The City has used these funds to issue rebates to residential water
customers for the purchase and installation of water-efficient toilets ($50 rebate), washing machines ($150
rebate) and irrigation controllers ($150 rebate):
Our initial grant amount from the MCES was $9,000, with the requirement that the City contribute an
additional $3,000 for a total of $12,000 in customer rebates (75% from MCES, 25% from the City). As of
April 12, 2017 we have approximately $73.24 of grant money remaining.
Now that the grant funds are nearly depleted, staff is seeking approval to continue issuing rebates through
June 30, 2017 with the understanding that no further reimbursement will be coming from the MCES for
that time period. It is important to note that no additional money is actually needed since the rebates are
not “paid out” but rather given in the form of a credit on the customers’ utility bills. This will result in a
minor loss of revenue to the Water Utility Fund.
The rebate program coordinator at MCES has indicated that the rebate program is likely to be renewed,
effective July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2019. Because the program has been so successful in Rosemount,
and because we want to continue encouraging conscientious use of our water resources, staff is seeking
permission to re-apply for the program if the opportunity becomes available through the MCES.
G:\Water\MCES Water Efficiency Grant\Council Items\20170417 UC Water Rebate Update.docx
Table 1 provides a summary of the rebate program activity.
Table 1 Total
(1/1/2016-4/12/17)
Gallons of Water Saved Annually (est) 602,800
Total Rebate $11,902.35
Municipality Contribution (25%) $2,975.59
MCES Contribution (75%) $8,926.76
SUMMARY:
Staff is requesting that the Utility Commission recommend City Council approval to
A) Continue the water rebate program with internal funding through June 30, 2017 (which will
result in a minor loss of revenue in the Water Utility Fund), and
B) Re-apply for additional grant funding if the program is renewed by the MCES
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