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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution No. 09-029 CITY OF THE COLONY RESOLUTION NO. 09-029 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY DENYING COSERV GAS LTD.'S REQUESTED RATE CHANGES; AUTHORIZING INTERVENTION IN ANY NECESSARY PROCEEDINGS AFFECTING CITY'S INTERESTS BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE OR JUDICIAL BODIES; REQUIRING REIMBURSEMENT OF REASONABLE LEGAL AND CONSULTANT EXPENSES; FINDING THAT THE MEETING AT WHICH THIS RESOLUTION IS ADOPTED IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY LAW; AND REQUIRING DELIVERY OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE COMPANY AND LEGAL COUNSEL. WHEREAS, the City of The Colony ("City") is a regulatory authority under the Gas Utility Regulatory Act ("GURA") 102.001(b) and 103.001 and has original jurisdiction over the gas utility rates of CoServ Gas Ltd.'s ("CoServ" or the "Company"); and WHEREAS, on or about December 18, 2008, CoServ filed with the City a Statement of Intent to increase gas rates in all municipalities within the CoServ System; and WHEREAS, the City took action to suspend the January 23, 2009 effective date of CoServ's Statement of Intent for the maximum period allowed by law and to join with other cities served by CoServ ("CoServ Cities") to hire a rate expert and legal counsel to evaluate the Company's support for its requested rate increase; and WHEREAS, approximately $2.4 million to $2.8 million of the Company's requested $2.9 million increase is related to its requested rate of return and proposed capital structure, which does not appear to be reasonably supported by actual operations; and WHEREAS, based upon the analysis and recommendation of the CoServ Cities' expert and legal counsel, the City finds that the Company has not satisfactorily established that it is entitled to increase its rates; and WHEREAS, GURA § 103.022 provides that costs incurred by cities in ratemaking activities are to be reimbursed by the regulated utility. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF THE COLONY, TEXAS: 1. That the Company's Statement of Intent to increase gas utility rates within the City be denied in all respects. 2. That the Company shall continue to charge its existing rates for natural gas services to customers within the City. 1 3. That the City's reasonable rate case expenses shall be reimbursed by CoServ. 4. That it is hereby officially found and determined that the meeting at which this Resolution is passed is open to the public as required by law and the public notice of the time, place, and purpose of said meeting was given as required. 5. A copy of this Resolution shall be sent to Charles D. Harrell, Chief Financial Officer, CoServ Gas Ltd., 7701 South Stemmons, Corinth, Texas 76210-1842 and to Kristen Doyle, counsel for Cities Served by CoServ at Lloyd Gosselink Rochelle & Townsend, P.C., 816 Congress Avenue, Ste. 1900, Austin, Texas 78701. Jo Dillard, Mayor, City of The Colony AT EST: X Christie Wilson, City Secretary z-~ 2