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HomeMy WebLinkAboutPO 6791: SETTING REASONABLE RATES, TEXAS GAS SERVICE P. O. No. 6791 07/01/19 gt ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS, SETTING THE JUST AND REASONABLE RATES FOR THE COST OF SERVICE ADJUSTMENT CLAUSE TO BE CHARGED BY TEXAS GAS SERVICE COMPANY, A DIVISION OF ONE GAS, INC. FOR GAS SERVICE CUSTOMERS IN THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS; REQUIRING REIMBURSEMENT OF RATE CASE EXPENSES; FINDING THAT THE MEETING COMPLIES WITH THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THIS ORDINANCE. WHEREAS, on or about April 26, 2019, Texas Gas Service Company, a division of ONE Gas, Inc. ("Company") filed a Cost of Service Adjustment ("COSA") application with the City of Port Arthur, Texas ("City") requesting an annual rate increase for its Gulf Coast Service Area pursuant to the COSA Tariff, Rate Schedule No. 1-1, previously approved by the City ("COSA Tariff"); and WHEREAS, City has exclusive original jurisdiction over the rates, operations and services of a gas utility in areas in the municipality pursuant to Gas Utility Regulatory Act § 103.001; and WHEREAS, the Company requested an annual revenue increase of$209,539; and WHEREAS, the Company's request would result in a $0.32 rate increase per month for residential customers using an average of 28 Ccf per month; and WHEREAS, the Company proposed an effective date of July 25, 2019, for the rate increase; and WHEREAS, in order to exercise its exclusive original jurisdiction and properly review the requested rates, it is necessary for the City to make a decision within 90 days of the filing, or July 25, 2019; and WHEREAS, the Company gave notice of the annual COSA adjustment as required by the COSA Tariff; and WHEREAS, the City retained the Lawton Law Firm, P.C. to review the Company's rate request and make necessary rate recommendations to the City; and 1 WHEREAS, the Lawton Law Firm provided the City with a report on this matter which included recommendations to the City; and WHEREAS, the Lawton Law Firm has determined that the proposed COSA rate increase is consistent with the requirements and formulae of the COSA Tariff and therefore recommended that the City approve the Company's request. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ARTHUR, TEXAS: Section 1. That the statements set out in the preamble to this ordinance are adopted herein as if set forth herein. Section 2. That based on the recommendations and review presented by the legal/rate consultant Lawton Law Firm, the proposed COSA rate increase is consistent with the requirements and formulae of the COSA Tariff. Section 3. That the proposed COSA rate increase is therefore approved effective July 25, 2019. Section 4. That the Company shall file tariffs with the City Secretary reflecting the annual rate increase. Section 5. That the Company shall promptly reimburse the City's rate case expenses, as provided by Gas Utility Regulatory Act, Texas Utilities Code § 103.022(a) and the COSA tariff currently in effect. Section 6. That the meeting at which this resolution was approved was in all things conducted in strict compliance with the Texas Open Meetings Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 551. Section 7. That this ordinance shall be effective immediately on passage. READ, ADOPTED AND APPROVED on this day of A.D., 2016, at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of Port Arthur, Texas, by the following vote: AYES: 2 Mayor: Councilmembers: NOES: Thurman "Bill" Bartie Mayor ATTEST: Sherri Bellard City Secretary APPROVED AS TO FORM: 41 Age/ Valecia R.�-no �.11"11117 w If"'" _2 City Attorney APPROVED FOR ADMINISTRATION: Rebecca Underhill Interim City Manager 3