§ 37-20 — Application to change rates

Sec. 37-20. - Application to change rates.

(a) Water and sewer utilities requesting a rate change shall file with the director, at least 35 days before the effective date of the rate change, the applicable rate change application and a statement of intent to change rates. The water and sewer utility shall provide a copy of the notice to all customers of the utility affected by the proposed rate change. Notices to affected ratepayers may be mailed separately, e-mailed (if the customer has agreed to receive communications electronically), or may accompany customer billings. The statement of intent to change rates shall include a rate filing package that includes at least the following information on a Commission-approved form or a form approved by the director: (1) A billing comparison regarding the existing water rate and new water rate for 5,000 gallons of water and 10,000 gallons of water; (2) A billing comparison regarding the existing sewer rate and the new sewer rate computed for the use of 5,000 gallons, unless the water and sewer utility proposes a flat rate for sewer services; (3) A description of how the ratepayer may participate in the ratemaking proceeding; (4) The PUC docket number, if any, assigned to the rate application; and (5) Any other information reasonably required by the director. (b) The rate change application for a Class A water and sewer utility shall consist of: (1) The Commission's applicable rate filing package form or filing package form prescribed by the director; and (2) Pre-filed direct testimony supporting each rate schedule. (c) The rate change application for a Class B water utility, Class C water utility, or Class D water utility shall file the following rate package: (1) The Commission's rate filing package form or filing package form prescribed by the director, and (2) An affidavit supporting each rate schedule. The utility may file pre-filed direct testimony at the same time as the application to change rates. (d) Proof of notice in the form of an affidavit stating that proper notice was mailed, e-mailed, or delivered to customers and stating the dates of such delivery must be filed with the director by the applicant utility as part of the rate change application. (e) The director shall not consider an application to change rates to be properly filed until all items listed in subsection (1)—(5) of this section have been filed with the director.

(Ord. No. 2023-1079, § 3, 12-6-2023)