NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGE IN WATER RATES
The board of the Ohio County Public Service District (“District”) has on April 7, 2021 approved a water rate increase. The increase is a 31% across-the-board increase, which if adopted, will enable the District to pay increased bulk water rate charges from the City of Wheeling, generate positive cash flow on its water operations, repay an interest free loan from the Ohio County Development Authority, and make required payments into its working capital reserve fund. For a residential customer using the statewide average of 3,400 gallons per month, the change will increase rates by $11.43 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 board of the District asserts that it is in financial distress due to operating at a negative cash flow and has asked the Ohio County Commission to make the increased rates effective immediately following approval by the Ohio County Commission. The District provides water service to 4,262 customers in Ohio, Brooke, and Marshall counties.
The District Board approved the following changes to its existing rates:
RATES (customers with metered water supply) (per thousand gallons)
First 3,000 gallons used per month $ 16.10
Next 5,000 gallons used per month $ 12.24
Next 92,000 gallons used per month $ 11.21
Next 400,000 gallons used per month $ 10.66
Next 500,000 gallons used per month $ 9.33
All Over 1,000,000 gallons used per month $ 8.74
MINIMUM CHARGE
No minimum bill will be rendered for less than the following based on meter size:
(per month)
5/8 inch meter $ 31.01
3/4 inch meter $ 46.49
1 inch meter $ 77.50
1 – 1/2 inch meter $ 154.99
2 inch meter $ 247.97 3 inch meter $ 464.95
4 inch meter $ 774.90
6 inch meter $ 1549.78
8 inch meter $2479.67
The above minimum charges are subject to an additional $5.76 per thousand gallons used per month.
RESALE RATE
All water for resale will be billed in accordance with the approved rate of $7.43 per 1,000 gallons.
TAP FEE
The following charge is to be made whenever the utility installs a new tap to serve an applicant.
A tap fee of $350.00 to be paid in advance, for each new tap up to and including a one-inch (1″) tap. For taps larger in size, the actual cost of the installation, including meter.
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.
LEAK ADJUSTMENT
$9.10 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 shall be applied to all such unusual consumption above the customer’s historical average usage.
The Ohio County Commission will consider adopting, modifying or rejecting the District board approved rates and whether to waive the 45 day waiting period for the rate change to go into effect, 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