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Wisconsin Public Service Commission Approves Orfordville Water Utility Rate Changes

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Public Service Commission of Wisconsin has approved changes to the Orfordville Municipal Water Utility's method of recovering costs for public fire protection (PFP) services. The changes, which will take effect in 90 days from the final decision, aim to update the billing structure for PFP services to better reflect the costs associated with providing fire protection in the area. The new rates will result in a 20.78 percent increase in the bill for average residential customers, who will see their quarterly bill rise from $115.20 to $139.14.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Orfordville Municipal Water Utility has requested to change the method of recovering costs for public fire protection (PFP) services, which would affect 50 percent of the total PFP charge.
  • The new method would involve billing customers directly for the remaining 50 percent of the PFP charge, which would reduce the municipal charge from $143,168 to $71,584.
  • The proposed changes would increase the bill for an average residential customer with a 5/8-inch or a 3/4-inch meter by 20.78 percent, from $115.20 to $139.14.
  • The commissioners propose removing Schedule Mg-2, General Service Suburban, which is not applicable when PFP is directly charged to customers.
  • The applicant will have five business days to present its own analysis and submit any additional information to support its position.
  • The Commission will base its decision on the merits of the case, and the PFP rates will be effective within 90 days of the final decision.

Statistics:

  • The proposed municipal charge is $71,584.
  • The proposed direct charge is $71,584.
  • The bill for an average residential customer with a 5/8-inch or a 3/4-inch meter will increase by $23.94 per quarter.
  • The total increase in the bill will be 20.78 percent.
  • The proposed rates will take effect in 90 days from the final decision.

Sources:

  • Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, Application of Village of Orfordville, Rock County, Wisconsin, as a Water Public Utility, for Authority to Change its Method of Cost Recovery for Providing Public Fire Protection Service 4450-PFP-100 (PSC REF#: 533689)
  • Orfordville Municipal Water Utility, Water Rate File Changes

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