NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGE IN SEWER RATES
The board of the Ohio County Public Service District (“District”) has on April 7, 2021 approved a sewer rate increase. The increase is a 38% across- the-board increase, which if adopted, will enable the District to pay increased bulk sewer rate charges from the City of Wheeling, generate positive cash flow on its sewer operations, repay an interest free loan from the Ohio County Development Authority, meet the requirements of its existing sewer bonds, and make required payments into its working capital reserve and renewal and replacement funds. For a residential customer using the statewide average of 3,400 gallons per month, the change will increase rates by $16.53 per month.
The approved increased rates have been forwarded to the Ohio County Commission for its consideration pursuant to W.Va. Code Section 16-13A-9 (a) (2) (E). The Ohio County Commission has until May 23, 2021 to approve, modify, or reject the increased rates. If the Ohio County Commission takes no action by May 23, 2021, the District Board approved rates will become effective for all service rendered after July 8, 2021 by operation of law. The District provides sewer service to 2,039 customers in Ohio and Marshall counties.
The District Board approved the following changes to its existing rates:
RATES
Service Charge $17.18 per month
Usage Charge $12.61 per 1,000 gallons of water usage per month
MINIMUM CHARGE
No bill will be rendered for less than $29.79 per month.
FLAT RATE CHARGE (Customers with non-metered water supply) Equivalent of 4,500 gallons of water usage, $73.94 per month
LEAK ADJUSTMENT
$5.15 per 1,000 gallons is to be used when the bill reflects unusual consumption which can be attributed to eligible leakage on the customer’s side of the meter. This rate is to be applied to the excess consumption above the customer’s historical average usage.
EFT, CREDIT CARD, AND DROP BOX PAYMENTS FOR PUBLIC SERVICE DISTRICTS
A service charge will be imposed on EFT, 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. No additional charge or fees shall be collected by the District for accepting these forms of payment.
The Ohio County Commission will consider adopting, modifying or rejecting the District board approved rates at the Tuesday, April 20, 2021 meeting of the Ohio County Commission, which will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the offices of the Ohio County Commission, City County Building, Suite 215, 1500 Chapline St., Wheeling, WV 26003. The meetings of the Ohio County Commission are open to the public.
OHIO COUNTY
COMMISSION
Int. & N.R. April 12, 2021