DUBOIS – The DuBois City Council reviewed the first reading of the water rate changes for its non-municipality customers during its regular meeting Monday night.
Council Bill 1891 detailed the water rate changes for non-municipality customers. Under the bill, customers would be billed monthly rather than quarterly. Additionally, water usage up to 100,000 gallons would cost $5.15 per 1,000 gallons. Water usage over 100,000 would cost $3.77 per 1,000 gallons.
The bill would also establish minimum fees for connection based upon meter sizes and per hydrant. Each hydrant would cost the customers $184.37 per year. The meter fee would increase per meter size, starting at $6 per month for three-quarters of an inch meters and smaller. The largest meters, which are eight inches, would have a minimum charge of $225 per month.
City Manager John “Herm” Suplizio asked the council if a public hearing regarding the water rate changes would be necessary. The rate changes had been approved by the Pennsylvania Utility Commission.
“Just for the record, you aren’t allowed to charge less than what [the PUC] said now,” said City Solicitor Toni Cherry. A public hearing for the 2014 budget was scheduled for 6:45 p.m. Dec. 23.
Council members Jim Aughenbaugh and Randy Schmidt were excused from the meeting.