St. Anthony Water customers invited to comment on proposed rate increase
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor has opened a comment period for customers of St. Anthony Water Utilities regarding a proposed rate increase.
The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is a state agency representing consumer interests in cases before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC).
While using its legal and technical resources to analyze the request, including examining the utility’s books and operations, the OUCC is inviting written comments from customers through Apr. 17, 2022. The OUCC expects to file testimony on April 24, 2022.
Current base rates for St. Anthony Water Utilities – a not-for-profit utility providing service to more than 700 residential and commercial customers in Dubois County – received IURC approval in 1991. Rates have since been adjusted to cover increases in wholesale water costs.
St. Anthony’s current proposal would raise a monthly residential water bill for 5,000 gallons from $44.05 to $69.65.
According to its filing, the utility is seeking the rate increase due to higher operating and maintenance costs, and to pay for projects in its five-year capital improvement plan. Specific projects include new meters, main upgrades, new operational technology, and fire hydrant replacements.
The utility has filed this case through the IURC’s Small Utility Filing Procedure, which is designed to reduce the time and expense involved with regulatory filings for utilities with fewer than 8,000 customers. Savings are gained by allowing utility staff to use standardized forms and forego a technical evidentiary hearing. This is designed to result in utilities needing less assistance from rate consultants or attorneys, leading to fewer expenses to be passed on to customers.
The OUCC uses the same standard to review a utility’s operations and records whether it seeks a rate increase through the Small Utility Filing Procedure or a traditional case. Conducting its analysis on behalf of all utility consumers, the OUCC will present the results of its review through a report to the IURC, including formal testimony. The IURC’s review is conducted on behalf of the public interest (a balancing of utility and customer interests); it is responsible for resolving any factual disputes that may arise and issuing a final order establishing new rates.
A settlement agreement is possible in any legal proceeding; such an agreement, if reached, would require IURC approval.
Consumers who wish to submit written comments for the case record may do so via the OUCC’s website at www.in.gov/oucc/2361.htm, by email at uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov, or by mail at:
Public Comments
Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC)
115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 SOUTH
Indianapolis, IN 46204
The OUCC needs to receive all written consumer comments no later than Apr. 17, 2022, so that it can: 1) Consider them in preparing its testimony and 2) File them with the Commission to be included in the case’s formal evidentiary record. Comments should include the consumer’s name, mailing address, and a reference to either “IURC Cause No. 45671-U” or St. Anthony Water. Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC’s consumer services staff toll-free at 1-888-441-2494.
The OUCC is posting case updates online at www.in.gov/oucc/watersewer/key-cases-by-utility/st.-anthony-water-utilities. Case updates are also available through the agency’s monthly electronic newsletter. Consumers can subscribe at www.in.gov/oucc/news.
Wow…as general utility increases go, this is a tough, hefty increase all at once…60-percent as indicated in the example. Wonder why/if the utility…their engineers and a competent, recommended rate consultant…can’t spread the increase over time, in smaller increases annually or bi-annually, etc…even if it means doing the same with the prioritizing the improvements/upgrades…? Understand a smaller system, increased operating costs and the need to save, but regardless of size utilities should plan to be (more) pro-active with system maintenance and improvements rather than waiting so long and then shocking the ratepayers. Better and easier to adjust to smaller increases over time than something like this. Indeed submit questions and comments, that’s for sure.
Why most certainly, Let`s just make it so expensive to live here that the growth we have seen in recent years stops. Like the sewer system was going to cost about $30 a month. Does anyone remember that? If water goes up, so does sewer bill. I hate to see all the young people that have moved here now have to figure out where to get the cash to pay their bills along with all the recent inflation in Gas, Groceries, materials, and anything that we need to live. there is inflation like I have not seen since Carter was President. It was 10%-20% back then. But Interest rates were at 22.5% then. We don`t have that now.
What a bunch of bull
Hell I am on Disability now I can’t hardly afford the sewer rates. Which we all know the price of water goes up so does the Price of the sewers. As my dad always said the rich get rich and the poor get poorer.