|
NEW WATER RATES
At its March 19, 2009 meeting, the Board of Directors adopted new water rates, which will become effective for water consumption during the month of October 2009 (to be reflected in the November 2009 billing statements). In general terms, the Board of Directors increased the minimum monthly fee by $2.00 per month for standard residential customers. The volumetric rate will increase by fifty cents per 1,000 gallons for consumption up to 50,000 gallons per month. The District will mail detailed information regarding the new rates to each customer.
This is the first change in water rates in approximately five years. The Board of Directors adopted the new rates in response to rising costs, a significant portion of which is attributable to new water system improvement projects. Specifically, on July 14, 2009, the District closed on the issuance of $6 million in revenue bonds to finance water system improvements, including construction of new water transmission lines and the expansion of an existing water treatment plant. The principal and interest on the bonds is paid from water system revenues. The District issued bonds to finance the water system improvement projects to ensure that new customers who benefit and receive service from the projects will contribute to the costs of the facilities. New connections also pay impact fees to contribute to the costs of capital improvement projects.
In connection with the issuance of the bonds, the District received an “investment grade” rating of “A+” from Standard and Poor’s. The District received this high rating because of its expanding customer base, below-average debt levels, and strong debt service coverage. This rating, in turn, caused the District to receive very favorable interest rates for the bonds, lowering overall costs to the District.
Questions regarding the new rates may be directed to the District’s General Manager. The public is invited to attend the regular meetings of the Board of Directors held at 5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.
A summary of the rate changes approved by the Board of Directors is set forth below:
Retail Charges and Rates
Minimum Monthly Fees:
|
Meter Size
|
Existing Fees (includes 2,000 gallons)
|
New Fees (includes zero gallons)
|
|
¾-inch
|
$35.00
|
$37.00
|
|
1-inch
|
$60.00
|
$62.90
|
|
1 1/2 -inch
|
$115.00
|
$122.10
|
|
2 -inch
|
$185.00
|
$196.10
|
|
3-inch
|
$350.00
|
$370.00
|
|
4-inch
|
$595.00
|
$629.00
|
Volumetric Rates:
|
Gallonage
|
Existing Rate (per thousand gallons)
|
New rate (per thousand gallons)
|
|
0-10,000 gallons
|
$2.00per 1,000 gallons (2,000 to 10,000 gallons)
|
$2.50 per 1,000 gallons (0-10,000 gallons)
|
|
10,001-20,000 gallons
|
$3.00 per 1,000 gallons
|
$3.50 per 1,000 gallons
|
|
20,001-35,000 gallons
|
$3.25 per 1,000 gallons
|
$3.75 per 1,000 gallons
|
|
35,001– 50,000 gallons
|
$5.00 per 1,000 gallons
|
$5.00 per 1,000 gallons
|
|
50,001– 60,000 gallons
|
$7.00 per 1,000 gallons
|
$7.00 per 1,000 gallons
|
|
60,001 and higher gallons
|
$7.50 per 1,000 gallons
|
$7.50 per 1,000 gallons
|
Wholesale Water Rates:
|
Current Wholesale Water Rate
|
New Wholesale Water Rate
|
|
$1.94 per 1,000 gallons
|
$4.33 per 1,000 gallons
|
Effective Date of Rate Change:
The changes to retail charges and rates shall become effective for customer usage occurring in October 2009 (to be reflected on November, 2009 billing statements.
The change to wholesale rates is effective immediately.
Further Information:
Complete copies of the District’s Rules Regarding Water and Wastewater Service, including the District’s Rate Schedule, are available at the District’s administrative office. For further information regarding the change in rates, please contact the District’s General Manager at 254-793-3103.
|
|