North Dearborn Water Authority Requests Rate Increase; Customers Invited To Comment

Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 4:42 PM

By Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor, news release

All consumer comments must be submitted no later than December 7.

Shutterstock photo.

(Dearborn County, Ind.) - If you would like to comment on North Dearborn Water Authority’s pending rate request, you have the chance to do so.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC), the state agency representing consumer interests in cases before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC), is reviewing the utility’s request and is scheduled to file testimony on Dec. 10, 2021.

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 Dec. 7, 2021.

North Dearborn Water Authority is requesting an across-the-board rate increase in two-phases. The first increase of 23 percent would take effect when a Commission order is issued in 2022. The second increase of 17.26 percent would take effect in June 2023. The utility is also seeking IURC approval to issue up to $4.25 million in long-term debt.

In its filings, the utility states it is seeking the changes to cover higher operating and maintenance costs, along with infrastructure improvements including new mains, well capacity upgrades, and a new water treatment plant.

North Dearborn Water Authority received IURC approval of its current rates in 2009. The utility provides water to more than 2,100 customers in Dearborn, Franklin, and Ripley Counties.

A settlement agreement is possible in any legal proceeding. If an agreement is reached, the settling parties are required to present evidence showing it to be in the public interest. The IURC may approve, deny, or modify any settlement it considers.

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:

OUCC Public Comments Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor 115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 SOUTH Indianapolis, IN 46204

The OUCC needs to receive all written consumer comments no later than Dec. 7, 2021, 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. 45618” or North Dearborn Water. Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC’s consumer services staff toll-free at 1-888-441-2494.

An IURC evidentiary hearing is currently scheduled to start on Jan. 25, 2022. While evidentiary hearings are open to the public, participation is typically limited to attorney and Commission questioning of technical witnesses. A final decision in the case is expected in July 2022.

The OUCC is posting case updates online at www.in.gov/oucc/watersewer/key-cases-by-utility/north-dearborn-water-corp-rates. Case updates are also available through the agency’s monthly electronic newsletter. Consumers can subscribe at www.in.gov/oucc/news.