NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGE IN SEWER RATES
The board of the Claywood Park Public Service District (“District”) has on July 8, 2025, approved a sewer rate increase. The increase is a in two steps. The proposed Step One increase is a 9.99% across-the-board rate increase, which if adopted, will enable the District to allow operate in a solvent manner, fully fund its cash working capital reserve fund account, and cover the increased costs caused by inflation. The proposed Step Two increase is a 7.08% across-the-board rate increase, which if adopted, will enable the District to cover the inflationary increases in costs of electric power, chemicals, and labor, and allow the District to hire one new employee. The District proposes that Step One rates go into effect for service rendered after August 22, 2025, and Step Two rates would be effective for service rendered after August 22, 2026. For a residential customer using the statewide average of 3,400 gallons per month, the Step One rates will increase rates by $6.47 per month over current rates, and the Step Two rates will increase rates by $11.52 per month over current rates.
The approved increased rates have been forwarded to the Wood County Commission for its consideration pursuant to W.Va. Code § 16-13A-9(a)(2)(E). The Wood County Commission has until August 22, 2025, to approve, modify, or reject the increased rates. If the Wood County Commission takes no action by August 22, 2025, the District Board approved rates will become effective for all service rendered after October 6, 2025, by operation of law. The District provides sewer service to 1,922 customers in Wood and Wirt counties.
The District Board approved the following changes to its existing rates:
RATES Current Rate Step One Rate Step Two Rate
Service Charge
(per month) $20.22 $22.24 $23.82
Commodity Charge
(per 1,000 gallons) $13.11 $14.42 $15.44
Sludge Fee
(per month) $349.97 $384.97 $412.30
MINIMUM CHARGE Current Rate Step One Rate Step Two Rate
(per month) $20.22 $22.24 $23.82
FLAT RATE CHARGE
(For customers with non-metered water supply. Equivalent of 4,500 gallons of water usage per month.)
Current Rate Step One Rate Step Two Rate
$79.22 $87.13 $93.30
LEAK ADJUSTMENT
$4.00 per 1,000 gallons is to be used when a bill reflects unusual consumption which can be attributed to eligible leakage on customer’s side of the meter. This rate shall be applied to all consumption in excess of 200% of the customer’s average monthly usage.
The Wood County Commission will consider adopting, modifying or rejecting the District board approved rates at the AUGUST 11, 2025 meeting of the Wood County Commission, which will be held at 9:45 a.m. at the offices of the Wood County Commission, No. 1 Court Square, Suite 203, Parkersburg WV 26101. The meetings of the Wood County Commission are open to the public.
WOOD COUNTY COMMISSION
July 31