UPDATE: On October 10, 2007, the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) issued an order in this case approving a settlement agreement between Wildwood Shores Utilities Corp. and the OUCC. A copy of the order with the agreement attached is available by clicking here. The 28-page PDF document requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is inviting public comments as it reviews Wildwood Shores Utilities Corporation's request for an increase in its sewer rates and charges.

The OUCC - the state agency representing consumer interests in all cases before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) - has not yet taken a position on the utility's request but currently anticipates completing its review and filing its report in the case on Tuesday, May 29. Consumers who wish to provide written comments on the proposal in the meantime may submit them to the OUCC's consumer services staff via mail, e-mail or fax.

Wildwood Shores - a wholly-owned subsidiary of Aqua Indiana, Inc. - provides sewage disposal service to 85 customers in the Wildwood Shores subdivision in northeastern Morgan County (southwest of the intersection of Paddock and Hadley Roads in Madison Township). The utility is requesting permission to increase its flat, monthly residential rate from $27.00 to $48.00 and indicates in its filing that it is seeking the rate change to cover higher operating and maintenance costs. Current rates for Wildwood Shores were approved in 1993.

In addition, Wildwood Shores is seeking to implement a new, one-time $2,800 capacity charge for each new customer in the future. The new charge, which would not apply to the utility's existing customers, would help pay for new infrastructure necessary to expand the utility system's capacity.

Wildwood Shores has applied for the rate increase using the state's Small Utility Filing Procedure, which is available to utilities with fewer than 5,000 customers and is designed to reduce the time and expense involved with regulatory filings. Savings are gained by allowing utility staff to use standardized forms and the utility's resulting need for less assistance from rate consultants or attorneys. The standard for OUCC and IURC reviews on small utility filings is the same that applies to traditional utility filings. The OUCC conducts its review on behalf of consumers, while the IURC's review is conducted on behalf of the public interest (a balancing of utility and customer interests). A settlement agreement is possible in any legal proceeding; such an agreement would require IURC approval. The OUCC attempts to reach a fair agreement for consumers in IURC case.

A copy of the utility's filing is available for public review at the NorthEast Branch of the Morgan County Public Library (9410 State Road 144, Martinsville, Indiana). An electronic copy is also linked from the OUCC Website.

The Wildwood Shores Section 4 Lot Owners Association has formally requested a public field hearing in this case; the request is now pending before the IURC.

The OUCC needs to receive all written consumer comments in this case no later than Friday, May 25. Comments should include the consumer's name, address, and a reference to "IURC Cause No. 43233-U," and can be submitted by mail, fax or the Internet:

• Mail: Consumer Services Staff
  Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor
  100 N. Senate Ave., Room N501
  Indianapolis, IN 46204-2215
• Fax: (317) 232-5923
• E-mail: uccinfo@oucc.IN.gov
• OUCC Website: www.IN.gov/OUCC

Consumers with questions about submitting written comments can contact the OUCC's consumer services staff toll-free at 1-888-441-2494.

Additional information on the regulatory process and other utility consumer topics - including tips for saving money on utility services - is available on the OUCC Website or by calling the agency toll-free.

The Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC) is the state agency that represents utility consumer interests in state and federal regulatory proceedings. To learn more, visit www.IN.gov/OUCC.

(IURC Cause No. 43233-U)

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