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Nelson County to hold public hearing on proposed Piney River water and sewer rate increases
Summary
The Nelson County Board of Supervisors authorized an Oct. 14 public hearing on proposed four‑year Piney River water and sewer rate changes that move connection fees and monthly service charges closer to the Nelson County Service Authority schedule; the board approved the authorization unanimously (3–0).
The Nelson County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 9 authorized a public hearing for Oct. 14 to consider a four‑year schedule of increases to Piney River water and sewer connection fees and monthly service charges.
County Administrator Candice W. McGarry told the board the proposal (Resolution R2025‑68) would align the Piney River system’s connection fees and base service fees with those charged by the Nelson County Service Authority. Under the plan, connection fees would roughly double on Jan. 1, 2026 (for example, a 3/4" meter listed from $3,000 to $6,000 in the resolution) and monthly base charges would phase upward through mid‑2028.
The resolution filed with the board lists specific multi‑year rate steps. Sample proposed changes include: a baseline monthly water charge moving from $29.90 to $34.36 on Jan. 1, 2026 and gradually to $52.20 by July 1, 2028; a baseline monthly sewer charge moving from $29.60 to $39.22 on Jan. 1, 2026 and to $77.72 by July 1, 2028; and grinder pump monthly fees rising from $9.00 to $12.07 (1/1/2026) and ultimately to $24.34 (7/1/2028). The resolution also proposes matching the Service Authority’s connection fee schedule (e.g., a 1" meter from $5,000 to $10,000 effective 1/1/2026 under the draft language).
Board members discussed the proposal briefly; Dr. Jessica L. Ligon asked procedure questions and J. David Parr seconded the motion to authorize the hearing. The motion passed on a unanimous roll‑call vote (3–0).
McGarry said the Oct. 14 public hearing will be held at 7:00 p.m. in the General District Courtroom at the Nelson County Courthouse in Lovingston and will give customers an opportunity to comment on the proposed ordinance changes to Chapter 12, Utilities, Article III, Water and Wastewater, Division Ten of the Code of Nelson County.
If adopted after public comment, the ordinance would amend connection fees (Sec. 12‑152), base service fees (Sec. 12‑153), grinder pump fees (Sec. 12‑169) and related fee sections to bring Piney River charges into parity with the Service Authority. The resolution cites Virginia Code procedures for advertising and holding the public hearing.
