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Amelia County staff to advertise proposed utility rate increases and updated fees for June hearing
Summary
Staff proposed two utility-rate scenarios (25 cents or 50 cents per 1,000 gallons); after discussion the board signaled consensus for the 50-cent increase and agreed to advertise utility and other fee increases for a June public hearing; animal-shelter adoption-fee differentials were referred back to staff for justification.
County staff presented follow-up budget items and two scenarios for water-rate increases and related fee updates, and the board signaled a near-term consensus to advertise the higher scenario for public hearing in June.
Eric, a county staff member reviewing FY27 follow-ups, said staff prepared two utility-rate options: a 25-cent and a 50-cent increase per 1,000 gallons for typical residential usage. He told supervisors the 25-cent option yields roughly $22,000 in annual revenue while the 50-cent option yields about $44,000. "It generates about $22,000 annually with 25 cent increase," staff said; "and then about $44,000 for the 50 cent increase."
Board members discussed the affordability of the change and the size of the system (about 492 water/sewer customers, roughly 450 on standard 5/8-3/4" meters). Several members argued for a modest annual escalation approach while others favored the larger, one-time 50-cent increase. Benji (a supervisor joining by phone) said he could "live with that," referring to the 50-cent scenario. After discussion the board reached a consensus to pursue the 50-cent per 1,000 gallon increase and asked staff to run required advertisements for a June public hearing.
On other fee changes, Eric said the environmental department and animal-control fees were proposed to align with state changes and departmental needs. Board members pressed staff to explain disparities in adoption fees for sterilized versus unsterilized animals and asked for written justification before the hearing. "We should get whatever recommendation they have and get a justification why it's there," one board member said.
Staff noted remaining budget uncertainties tied to the General Assembly (comp board funding and final school numbers) and proposed a follow-up workshop to resolve outstanding questions before final advertisement and public hearing. The board scheduled a workshop for the following Wednesday to review remaining items before proceeding.
