Arthurdale-area residents served by Preston County Public Service District No. 1 would see their monthly bill increase by 78 cents, based on a recommendation to the Public Service Commission by PSC staff posted on Wednesday.
The residential rate would increase from $19.01 per 1,000 gallons for the first 3,000 gallons used ($57.03 total) to $19.27 per 1,000 gallons – $57.81 for 3,000 gallons. The represents a 1.37% increase.
Commercial rates, based on an average of 7,400 gallons, would increase by $1.62 or 1.34%. Industrial rates, based on an average of 78,200 gallons, would increase by $9.38 or 1.33%.
Staff recommendations require PSC approval. The increase is for district operations and maintenance, not for major construction and financing.
The PSD1 board has been under fire for alleged poor oversight of its finances, alleged poor water quality and alleged misconduct by a PSD1 employee. These allegations are detailed in 53 letters of protest submitted to the PSC.
As we reported in early November, PSD1, based in Arthurdale, filed for the increase in August. The letters of protest started coming in on Oct. 10 after the allegations surfaced. The Nov. 4 PSD1 board meeting drew an overflow crowd of residents airing their concerns. The board meets next on Dec. 16.
Staff notes in its memorandum to the PSC, “Although the district did not propose specific rates and charges, it did cite increased operation and maintenance expenses and the need to fund its cash working capital requirement as justification for its filing.”
Staff said in its memorandum that it would be conducting a review of the district’s books and records in the near future. The report does not address any of the allegations described at the board meeting or in the letters of protest.
