January 5 hearing set about sewer rate hike
A public hearing has been set for this Friday, January 5, so customers of the Warm Springs Sewer System can comment about a proposed 25% rate hike.
The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m. in the Town of Bath Municipal Building at 271 Wilkes Street, Berkeley Springs.
Individuals will be heard about the rate increase application, according to the West Virginia Public Service Commission, which organized the meeting.
Warm Springs sewer system officials are seeking the rate hike because bids were more than $4 million over the expected cost of improvements to the sewage treatment facility and for sewer line extensions in the Berkeley Springs area.
When bids were opened in August, it was discovered that the total project will cost about $15,759,000, while the project was estimated at only $11,470,000 two years ago.
To make up the difference, Warm Springs officials are requesting a rate hike that will bring in an additional $215,212 each year, or 25% more than current income.
In addition to speaking at the January 5 hearing, people may protest the higher rates, or to intervene in the rate case, by sending a written protest by Friday, January 12, to: Sandra Squires, Executive Secretary, Public Service Commission of West Virginia, P. O. Box 812, Charleston, WV 25323.
