Scott County votes to retain counsel to challenge Bluegrass Water rate increase
Summary
Scott County Fiscal Court voted to retain outside counsel to intervene in a Bluegrass Water application at the Public Service Commission after residents said rates rose despite limited local maintenance. The court authorized filing a motion to intervene and to explore cost-sharing with other jurisdictions.
Scott County Fiscal Court voted Dec. 23 to retain outside counsel to intervene in a proposed Bluegrass Water rate increase before the Kentucky Public Service Commission.
Judge and county counsel described a prior case in which the commission approved a previous Bluegrass Water increase that raised single-residence wastewater rates to $77.77. The county says Bluegrass Water has applied again to raise the residential rate to $114 and sharply increase nonresidential fees; during the meeting the $114 figure was described as roughly a 46% increase and some nonresidential fee proposals were characterized as much larger percentage increases.
Residents from Moon Lake and Longview told the court they rarely see company crews in their subdivisions and said the utility has not provided visible improvements despite earlier rate hikes. "They raised our rate," said William Daniel, a Moon Lake resident, adding that many systems are aging and that homeowners have little choice but to connect to the sewer system. Paul Toney of Longview urged the court to request a usage study comparing local consumption and costs to similar communities.
County officials said they have discussed the issue with Strobo Barclay (outside counsel) and with the Division of Water. County counsel noted there is an extensive discovery process in intervention cases that could allow the county to demand evidence of completed upgrades. The court also discussed options to share the cost of counsel with other affected jurisdictions or seek coordinated action by state lawmakers and the governor's office.
Commissioners moved to retain Strobo Barclay to file a motion to intervene and to proceed as needed; the motion was seconded and the court voted in favor. The court did not record a roll-call tally in the transcript; the chair announced the motion passed.
Next steps include filing a notice to intervene in the Public Service Commission docket and gathering documentation about actual plant upgrades and service capacity for affected neighborhoods. County staff said they will follow up with the Division of Water and consult with outside counsel on discovery and potential cost-sharing with other counties.
