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City consultants recommend consumption-based increase, council backs staff on option focused on conservation
Summary
Consultants from Carter & Sloop presented a water and sewer rate study showing rising expenses and recommended simplifying tiers and raising rates; staff recommended Option 2 (increase consumption charges only) and council members expressed support, with a formal vote yet to be recorded.
Consultants from Carter & Sloop presented a review of Villa Rica's water and sewer rate structure on Feb. 4, recommending a simplified tier structure and one of three rate increase packages to keep the utility fund solvent as expenses rise.
The report, led by consultant Chrissy Garrison with backup from Mark Hain of Carter & Sloop, reviewed 2023 customer usage and the water and sewer fund's recent revenue and expense history. Garrison said residential customers account for about 56% of consumption and 59% of revenue, while commercial and industrial accounts together provide most of the remainder. She recommended simplifying residential and nonresidential tiers and using a targeted rate increase to ensure debt-coverage requirements are met through 2025 and 2026.
Carter & Sloop offered three packaged options to close a projected shortfall: Option 1 would raise base fees 20% and consumption 12%; Option 2 would leave base fees unchanged and raise consumption charges by…
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