PUBLIC NOTICE

ORDINANCE 26-264

SUMMARY: AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND REPLACING SECTIONS 44-172 RELATING TO SERVICE CHARGES REMOVING THE CAP ON SEWER FEES AND CLARIFYING CPI LANGUAGE
WHEREAS, the City of Alabaster has provided reliable weekly garbage, rubbish, and refuse collection services to its residents and businesses since the adoption of the current fee structure, ensuring public health, sanitation, and environmental protection; and
WHEREAS, operational costs for labor, equipment maintenance, fuel, disposal fees, capital replacements, and administrative expenses have increased significantly due to nationwide inflationary pressures on utility and waste management services; and
WHEREAS, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Water and Sewer and Trash Collection Services is the index that should be designated in the ordinance for annual fee adjustments to reflect changes in the cost of providing such services; and
WHEREAS, the current ordinance is ambiguous as to the correct CPI-U subsection to use.
NOW, THREFORE, THE PUBLIC GOOD REQUIRING IT, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ALABASTER, ALABAMA AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1 - REPEAL AND REPLACEMENT
1. Sections 42-172 is hereby REPEALED and replaced as follows:
Sec. 44-172. Service charges.
(a) Schedules. The monthly fees and charges for city sanitary sewer service are as follows:
(1) Single-family residential.
a. Base rate $22.92
Plus, per 1,000 gallon usage rate $3.19
b. Permit fee $3,500.00
(2) Multifamily and commercial.
a. Base rate $55.88
Plus, per 1,000 gallon usage rate after 5,000 gallon $12.29
b. Commercial permit fee calculated as follows:
Base permit fee (includes first 12 fixtures) $3,500.00
Plus each plumbing fixture* over $12,250.00
..... per fixture
*A fixture is hereby defined as a toilet, urinal, sink, drain, water fountain, ice maker, dishwasher, washing machine, or other like inlets to the city sewer system.
(3) Beginning with any adjustments made on or before July 11, 2022, the fee shall be adjusted annually on October 1 utilizing the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers: Water and Sewer and Trash Collection Services.
(4) Any multifamily residential units separately metered for each unit shall be billed at the single-family residential rate regardless of the permit fee paid at the time of construction.
(b) Gross rate indicated; eligibility for net rate. The rates set forth in subsection (a) of this section are net, the gross rate being 110 percent thereof. If the current bill is paid by the user within ten days from the date of its rendition, the net rate shall apply, otherwise, the gross rate shall apply.
(c) Additional charges for burdensome sewage. In cases where the character of the sewage from any premises is such that it imposes an unreasonable burden upon the sewage disposal plant, the city may, by appropriate ordinance, impose additional uniform charges for such services to and for such premises, and/or may, in lieu of or in addition to such additional charges, require such sewage to be treated in a manner specified by the city before being discharged into any sewer connected with the sewage disposal plant.
(d) Special agreements. No statement contained in this article shall be construed as preventing any special agreement or arrangement between the city and any industrial concern whereby an industrial waste of unusual strength or character may be accepted by the city for treatment, subject to payment therefor, by the industrial concern.
(e) Lowered base rate for social security households. Any household whose sole source of income is social security benefits shall be granted a base rate for residential service of $10.00 per month, provided the household seeking to claim the lower base rate shall first present proof of income to the city (or its designee) no later than the first billing date prior to the beginning of any fiscal year (October 1) in which the lower base rate is desired. The city or its designee shall forward the request and proof of income to the city waterworks board for billing purposes. The lower base rate shall apply beginning with the first billing date after receipt of the application, and continue only so long as the household’s sole source of income is social security, or the beginning of a new fiscal year, whichever period is shorter, and shall be applied for annually. The lower base rate may not be applied retroactively. It shall be the duty of the applicant to inform the city or its designee of any changes in income that would limit the applicability of the lower base rate.
(f) Penalty for fraudulent statements concerning social security benefits. Any person who knowingly provides false or misleading information in order to obtain the base rate for social security households shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for giving false information to the city, and, upon conviction, shall be punished as provided in section 1-12, and in addition thereto, shall be required to pay restitution to the city in the amount of benefits obtained by the false or misleading information.
(g) In the event of a water leak wherein the water usage is adjusted pursuant to the policies adopted by the Alabaster Water Board, and the leak was in such a place that the excess usage did not flow into the sewer system, the sewer bill shall likewise be adjusted in an amount commensurate with the water usage as adjusted by the water board.
Section 2. EFFECTIVE DATE
This Ordinance shall be effective upon its passage and publication as required by law.
ADOPTED AND APPROVED THIS 9TH DAY OF FEBRUARY 2026.

Shelby County Reporter:
Feb. 15, 2026
ORDINANCE 26-264