On September 11^th and 25^th 2006, the City held public hearings to discuss the restructuring of our utility billing system.  At the conclusion of the meetings, it was determined that we would adopt a new billing structure that would adjust both fixed and variable costs and change our billing cycle from bi-monthly to monthly.  Below, is a table reflecting the net changes to your utility bill reflecting both a monthly bill and the new fee structure.     

^{*Based on 9 thousand gallons of water consumption} 

In summary, the overall increase is $3.59 or 4.6 percent.  Of the overall increase, $1.04 is a pass through from the garbage provider which the City has no control over.  Therefore, the overall increase as a result of the new fee structure is $2.55.  As you will notice even thought we have increased our fixed charges, residents will benefit from the reduction in our consumption charges and utility tax. 

Estimating Water Bills between Billing Periods
(Effective October 1, 2006)

Lauderhill bills for water on a monthly basis, every 30-32 days. Customers may want to estimate their bills between billings because they are buying or selling a home, because they are sharing the cost of a bill, or because they have a leak or other flow problem causing large bills. Listed below are instructions for estimating an interim bill – remember that this is an estimate only and is not the basis for any actual payment to the City of Lauderhill.

1. Read your meter on the day of the estimate. The meter is normally located in a concrete box in your front yard, near the sidewalk. Many boxes are located on your property line and have both your meter and your neighbor’s meter in them. Your meter is the one closest to your house.

2. Lift the concrete cover off the meter box. Then open the plastic cover on your meter. You may have to clean dirt or sand out of the box to reach your meter; this is normal in South Florida, especially after rains.

3. Read the 4 black digits on white background on the left side of the dial. The white digits on black background are not read. This is your meter reading.

4. Subtract the meter reading on your most recent bill from the reading you just took. This is your consumption for the interim billing period.

5. Determine the date of your last bill. This is the Service To date on your most recent bill.

6. To calculate an interim bill, use the following numbers:

SPECIAL INTEREST
Whenever a particular closing falls in the middle of the billing cycle, the buyer & seller may choose to escrow funds, and pro rate the subsequent bill, the city will not issue an interim bill in place of or in addition to its normal two-month cycle.