Legal 3 col x 9-3/4”
1103 1110
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING REGARDING AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING
AND FIXING RATES, FEES AND CHARGES OF THE MUNICIPAL WASTEWATER
SYSTEM OF THE TOWN OF CLAY, WEST VIRGINIA
WHEREAS, the Town of Clay has received a favorable financial package recommendation consisting entirely of grant funding from the West Virginia Infrastructure and Jobs Development Council for a project (“Project”) to upgrade the Town’s wastewater treatment plant and lift stations
WHEREAS, the Town needs to undertake the Project in order to adequately serve residents and businesses in compliance with regulatory standards;
WHEREAS, on August 9, 2022, the Town Council adopted a sewer rate increase ordinance (“August Ordinance”) to bring the Town’s sewer operations into compliance with financial obligations in the Town’s existing bonds and state law;
WHEREAS, at the time of adoption of the August Ordinance it was believed that no further rate increase would be needed in order to implement the Project;
WHEREAS, on August 31, 2022, the Town filed an application to the Public Service
Commission of West Virginia (“PSC”) for a certificate of convenience and necessity for the Project;
WHEREAS, in the course of responding to a data request from the Staff of the PSC it was determined that the rates in the August Ordinance would not generate sufficient revenue to meet increased operating expenses upon completion of the Project;
WHEREAS, the Town Sanitary Board’s accountant has prepared a wastewater rate increase proposal to enable the Town to meet the cost of operating the Town’s sanitary sewer system upon substantial completion of the Project;
WHEREAS, the Sanitary Board accountant’s recommended rates would result in a charge to Clay residential customers using 3,400 gallons per month of $68.71, which is less than the charges of 11 other sewer utilities in West Virginia for that volume;
NOW, THEREFORE, THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CLAY will hold a public hearing at its November 17, 2022, 5:30 p.m. Special City Council Meeting to be held at Clay Town Hall, 956 Main St., Clay, WV prior to considering the wastewater rate increase ordinance (“Ordinance”) on second reading for final adoption. The Council will receive public comments on the Ordinance at the public hearing. Copies of the Ordinance are available at Clay Town Hall. The Ordinance, if adopted, will establish the following rates, fees and charges:
EFFECTIVE UPON SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION OF THE WASTEWATER
TREATMENT PLANT AND LIFT STATIONS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
APPLICABILITY
Applicable within the entire territory served
AVAILABILITY OF SERVICE
Available for residential, commercial, governmental and industrial and wastewater service.
RATES (Customers with metered wastewater supply)
First 2,000 gallons used per month $20.21 per 1,000 gallons
All over 2,000 gallons used per month $20.21 per 1,000 gallons
MINIMUM CHARGE
No bill will be rendered for less than $40.42 per month
FLAT-RATE CHARGE (Customers with non-metered water supply)
Each customer shall pay a minimum charge of $54.57 per month.
(Equivalent to 2,700 gallons of water usage).
DELAYED PAYMENT PENALTY
The above tariff is net. On all accounts not paid in full when due, ten percent (10%) will be added to the net current amount unpaid. This delayed payment penalty is not interest and is to be collected only once for each bill where it is appropriate.
RETURNED CHECK CHARGE
A service charge equal to the actual bank fee assessed to the Town or a maximum of $25.00 will be imposed upon any customer whose check for payment of charges is returned by the bank due to insufficient funds.
WATER DISCONNECT/RECONNECT/ADMINISTRATIVE FEES
Water service will not be restored until all past due wastewater bills have been paid in full.
There shall be a $25.00 reconnection charge paid prior to restoration of water service which has been previously disconnected for any reason.
In the event that Town staff or agents collect money at the customer’s residence in order to stop disconnection, an administrative fee of $25.00 shall be paid in addition to other charges to prevent disconnection.
CONNECTION CHARGE
$325.00
SECURITY DEPOSITS
All new applicants for residential or other wastewater service shall make a deposit of (i) a minimum of fifty dollars ($50.00), or (ii) or two-twelfths (2/12) of the annual estimated charge for wastewater service, whichever is greater. The Town shall not be bound to supply wastewater until this condition is fulfilled. In any case where a deposit is forfeited to pay service rates and charges which were delinquent at the time of disconnection or termination of service, no reconnection or reinstatement of service may be made by the Town until another deposit, as described above, has been remitted to the Town. A refundable security deposit will be refunded with interest (at a rate provided annually by the Public Service Commission) after 12 consecutive months of on time payments.
LEAK ADJUSTMENT
$3.50 per 1,000 gallons is to be used when a bill reflects unusual consumption which can be attributed to eligible leakage on the customer’s side of the meter. This rate shall he applied to all such consumption above the customer’s historical average usage.
EFT, ACH, CREDIT CARD AND DROP BOX PAYMENTS
A service charge will be imposed on EFT, ACH, Credit card or Drop Box payments. The amount shall be equal to the actual charges to the Utility from the financial institution for processing payment.
TOWN COUNCIL
TOWN OF CLAY, WV