Public Meeting - Proposed Water Rate Increase

NOTICE TO AUBURN WATER DISTRICT CUSTOMERS

The Auburn Water District is proposing an increase in current water rates to become effective March 1, 2020. The current rates have been in effect since March 1, 2017. The proposed rates provide a revenue increase of 14.92%, totaling $558,410. The total revenue increase will be implemented by a user rate increase of 13.7%, and a public fire protection increase of23.97%.

The minimum water bill would increase from $42.45 per quarter to $48.27 per quarter. The average residential water customer, using approximately 8,000 cubic feet/yr., will experience an increase of$8.78 (13.7 percent) each quarter.

Under the new rates, the minimum water bill would increase 6 cents per day.

The average residential bill would increase 10 cents per day.

Estimated increases by customer class are as follows. Percentages are averages by class. Individual amounts may vary according to usage.

• Residential $ 212,263  13.7%
• Commercial 71,843  13.7%
• Industrial 43,830  13.7%
• Governmental 20,568  13.7%
• Public Fire Protection 158,122  23.97%
• Private Fire Protection 51,785  13.7%

The proposed rates are designed to produce sufficient revenue to cover operation and maintenance expenses as well as increases in debt service, depreciation, and increased capital improvements.

A public hearing, pursuant to 35-A MRSA § 6104, will be held on Thursday, January 16, 2020 at 5:00p.m. in the Community Room at the Auburn City Building, 60 Court Street. The hearing will give customers the opportunity to testify, pose questions, and make comments regarding the proposed water rate increase.

You may inspect data relating to the present and proposed rates at the District's office before the hearing. The Public Advocate is available for assistance to you in the matter upon request. The Public Utilities Commission may be contacted at 287-3831, State House Station 18, Augusta, ME 04333; or the Public Advocate at (207) 624-3687, State House Station 112, Augusta, ME 04333. You have the right to an open and fair hearing and the right to further hearings before the Commission.

If within 30 days of the public hearing, 15% of the customers of the District file with the Treasurer of the District and the Commission petitions demanding a review of the rate changes by the Commission, the rate change may be suspended, investigated, reviewed, and changed in accordance with Section 310. Signatures on the petition are invalid unless accompanied by the printed name and address of the signers. Upon request the District will provide customers. with the appropriate petition forms.

Materials supporting the water rate change are available at the District's office, 268 Court Street, Auburn, Monday-Friday (excluding holidays) between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Customers have the right and are encouraged to review these materials and to request information relating to present and proposed rates.

Please see the AWSD website at www.awsd.org for more information on the proposed rate adjustment.