County Attorney Mike Lockerbie recommended Botetourt County intervene in Aqua Virginia’s rate application at the Virginia State Corporation Commission and explained how the SCC process works.

Lockerbie told the board Aqua Virginia (the Virginia subsidiary of Essential Utilities) requested an approximate 26.42% overall water rate increase; due to local rate structure changes the county’s customers would likely see a larger effective increase — Lockerbie estimated an impact closer to 33% for Botetourt customers. He said intervening would allow the county to present evidence on rate design and potential cost reductions and to assist SCC staff and the Office of the Attorney General.

Board discussion noted prior experiences of multi‑percentage increases and the practical limits local governments face when opposing a large investor‑owned utility in SCC proceedings. Supervisors voted to authorize Lockerbie to represent Botetourt County in the case and to coordinate with other affected localities where appropriate.

No final rate was set by the board; the action authorizes legal participation in the state proceeding.