Amherst County Service Authority proposes 3.5% water and sewer rate increase; board keeps current health plan for 2025

The Amherst County Service Authority on May 6 voted to advertise a public hearing June 3 on proposed fiscal year 2026 rate and fee changes that would raise water and sewer rates by 3.5% and to keep the authority's current Key Advantage expanded employee health plan for this year.

Executive Director Mr. Costello told the board the budget presents operating revenues of roughly $5.4 million and expenditures that nearly match that total, leaving a small projected balance. He said the draft budget includes a proposed 3.5% rate increase for both water and sewer and a one-dollar increase in the water service charge and a two-dollar increase in the sewer service charge to correct a prior oversight. "The current the hundred cubic foot rate would go from $6.22 in water to $6.44. For sewer, it goes from $9.50 to $9.83," Costello said. He also explained the budget meets the 1.15 debt service coverage required by the authority's bond covenants and that the FY24 actual coverage was higher.

The bo…