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Kenosha Water Commission authorizes 3% water-rate application to Wisconsin PSC
Summary
The Kenosha Water Commission voted May 12 to authorize staff to file a simplified five-year rate adjustment application with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission seeking a 3% water-only increase; the commission also approved minutes and disbursements and adjourned.
The Kenosha Water Commission voted May 12 to authorize staff to file an application with the Wisconsin Public Service Commission seeking a 3% increase to water-only rates under the PSC's simplified five-year adjustment process.
The action, taken after staff described the difference between a conventional rate case and the simplified adjustment, was intended to keep the utility's rates current without initiating a full conventional case. Staff said the simplified adjustment is permitted for five years following a conventional case and the utility now qualifies for its second year of eligibility.
Mister Czarnecki, who presented the item as water department staff, told commissioners that the commission's last conventional rate case was based on 2019 operational data, implemented in early 2022. "This is more of a cost-of-living adjustment that's allowed for a five-year period following that," he said, adding that inflation measured by the consumer price index has increased about 24% since 2019 and that the requested 3% increase leaves the utility roughly 21% behind the operational position reflected in the last conventional case. "So we're asking for a 3% increase today," Czarnecki said.
An unnamed commissioner asked whether the city council or the commission could take additional steps to support the application at the PSC, such as passing resolutions or engaging in lobbying. The staff response was that the application is essentially a formality provided the commission authorizes filing and that no additional lobbying steps were identified in the presentation.
Staff recommended approval. Commissioners moved and seconded the item and the motion passed unanimously; the chair and all commissioners present voted yes.
Separately, the commission approved the minutes from its April 28 meeting and approved the April disbursements earlier in the session. The meeting concluded with a unanimous motion to adjourn.
The authorization allows staff to submit the simplified rate-adjustment application to the Wisconsin Public Service Commission; any change in customer bills will depend on PSC review and approval.
