The Board of the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority considered and approved a 14% rate increase effective May 1, 2010. This rate increase will serve to: 1) meet required bond coverage minimum of 1.0 by the end of the current fiscal year; 2) sustain eligibility for bonding in 2012 and 3) provide revenue to cover current CIP projects to include significant system expansion, maintenance, and repairs like those to the Ogden Interceptor wastewater system estimated at $6 to $7 million dollars.
Rate changes per block are as follows:
Tier 1: 0 – 9,000 gallons. Old rate $1.95. New rate $2.22. Difference of $.27 per thousand gallons
Tier 2: 9,000 – 18,000 gallons. Old rate $2.95. New rate $3.36. Difference of $.41 per thousand gallons
Tier 3: over 18,000 gallons. Old rate $3.95. New rate $4.50. Difference of $.55 per thousand gallons.
Examples of how customer bills may reflect these changes are as follows:
A current bill for a customer with bi-monthly usage of 5,000 gallons is $63.20. A bill under the applied new rates is $72.05 for a difference of $8.85 every two months or $4.43 per month.
A customer with bi-monthly usage of 15,000 gallons is $116.20. A bill under the applied new rates is $132.47 for a difference of $16.27 every two months or $8.14 per month.
Background
During the planning stages of the CFPUA, certain projects were identified on behalf of the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County as 1) projects that CFPUA would inherit and continue and 2) projects that were newly identified to become part of our system improvements moving forward. Inherited projects totaled $142 million dollars and projects for immediate consideration to be bonded and added to the scope of work to be performed by the CFPUA added another $188 million. Such projects include the completion of a $42 million NH County designed nano filtration facility in the northern part of the county, a $74 million Wilmington designed Sweeney drinking water facility expansion, completion of a $80 million City of Wilmington expansion and upgrade project for the Northside wastewater treatment facility and many more critical infrastructure projects to ensure safe, clean, drinking water and enhanced wastewater collection efficiency and increased environmental stewardship.
The initial planning and organization of the Authority identified necessary revenue to pay for in-progress projects and those bonded in 2008 whose repayment begins in 2012. The initial planning documents of the CFPUA included 9% overall rate increases for 08, 09 and future years. The Board carefully considered the economic hardship facing our customers in 2008 and delayed the increase slated for that year.
This $300+ million in 2008 projects is essential to the provision of the health, safety and welfare of our customers and environmental stewardship of the service area. Additional projects for future funding consideration will also contribute to the efficiency of utility services and are estimated in the range of $600 million.
INFORMATION FROM A NEWS RELEASE SENT TO THE WWAY NEWSCHANNEL 3 NEWSROOM.
NO !!!
It's time for the people to take a STAND !!!!
the people of Wilmington act like sheep they are going to keep getting raises...
Have we all forgotten we voted in the county commissioners.. If the county commissioners won't stand up for the people. VOTE them out and when November comes along remember what they have done in the past. and don't be fooled by their EMPTY promises
TAKE A STAND NOW !!!!!!
I agree with you 100% It is
I agree with you 100% It is time for the citizens of this city to take a stand. We need to hold our county commissioners accountable for the shabby way in which they have allowed this company to fleece the sheep. We need to let them know that they are either going to be part of the solution or either they will become part of the problem.
water
I love my well and free water (except for the pump that we have to replace this weekend and the softener salt etc.)
Come to Pender county, we have cookies.
rate hike
i live in the southern part of the county right by snows cut bridge and have Aqua Source as my water company as do all customers from Beau Rivage down to Snows Cut. A couple of years ago, Aqua tried to raise the rates like CFPUA, and our area as a whole attended the meeting downtown to protest the rate hikes. Yes, we did get a rate hike, but nothing we couldn't handle. it was less than what they wanted because we showed up and spoke out. Aqua Source is actually Aqua America, whick is based in Pennsylvania, with their N.C.office based in Raleigh. They are a large private company covering 14 states and do not have any local county commissioner board members.
Bills
My question is will this show up on my bill May 1st, or will 6-7 months down the road they'll tack it all on in one shot. Then again, I've got another $600 water bill to pay in 15 days or my services will be shut off.
This company, along with failing school systems, is why my house is on the market. I can not WAIT to say goodbye to Wilmington!! I've lived here for over 20 years and in the past 10 alone have watched this city fall. What once was a beautiful place to live has turned into a gang infested, overpriced pit hole that NOBODY seems interested in fixing.
Well..
don't let the door hit ya! While you might have a 600 dollar bill...what were you doing with the money that SHOULD have went towards your water bill...I mean..it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out ...HEY I haven't gotten a water bill yet...and even though you didn't get a bill to sit the money a side so when it comes you can pay it...course...it's easier to blame someone else..isn't it? I am not taking CFPUA of the hook...because they are MORONS...but WE are the bigger MORONS for allowing our elected leadership to do this anyway!
Getting a politician's hand
Getting a politician's hand out of your pocket is like trying to wash the stink off of s***. A noble effort but one doomed to fail.
Elected officials... yeah sure... what about this guy Quinn just recently re-appointed to the board of the CFPUA. At last count, he lost re-election to the Wilmington City Council. Who is he "representing" now?
Water or gas which is getting cheaper?
I guess the water company has made my decision for this summer.I will not be going to my local plant store to buy flowers for the yard this year.I had to make a decision. Do I keep taking my daily shower or water my plants.I guess when I go to the beach and pay two dollars a hour to park. I will bring my soap and shampoo and take a shower where you can rinse off at for free.That will change before you know it.It's a shame that in these hard times we have to worry about the price of water.When family and friends are wondering how to keep the lights on and feeding there family.I picture myself right now sitting in my yard sipping on a glass of water looking at my brown lawn and no flowers.Thinking "THANKS WATER COMPANY"! MY yard looks greats!!!
Well..
from the sound of it..money is tight so your flowers were a luxury item not needed...in addition wasting the water to keep them living was an additional part of that luxury you don't need...with the rainfall we have had..and most likely will have...I HIGHLY DOUBT your lawn will be brown...
Well if they want to hike
Well if they want to hike the rate 14%, I guess I will do what I have to also. I'll just hook my well to the outside faucet and feed my house and not use their water.
That
is fine and dandy...but you see THEY have a loop hole for people like you...and it's called the base rate...which you will STILL be responsible for paying...
base rate
Even if I did not pay my water bill, cfpua will still charge me base rates. Nothing I can do about it. I am being robbed of $63.00 monthly with 0.00 consumption and no trash can. How is this strong arm tactic legal? CFPUA is stealing from me. Turn off my water I say. They told me "we are still going to charge you base rates." Not even a kiss!
Don't Like the CFPUA? Do Something About It!
People love to whine, but we keep electing the same crooked politicians over-and-over. The people that gave us the Cape Fear Public Utility Authority continue to get re-elected. They keep raising our taxes.
Instead of complaining, do something!
Every Republican and Independent (and Dems can switch temporarily to "unaffiliated" to vote in the Republican Primary) should vote for Brian Berger in the Republican Primary to replace Bill Caster on the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners.
Caster was an architect of the Utility Authority and he needs to go! Brian Berger fought the creation of the CFPUA when nobody else would. Berger is exactly what we need around here, someone who fights corruption and for us average taxpayers instead of for the special interests. Check out voteberger.com and then get off yer couch and vote...do something instead of whine...
Change doesn't just happen, ya got to make it happen!
CFPUA doesnt receive ANY TAX
CFPUA doesnt receive ANY TAX MONEY. GET IT STRAIGHT PEOPLE!!
They also raised usage 30%
on houses that aren't having their use metered. Many customers see the same HCF usage every bill regardless of usage (much higher that our actual usage I can tell you that). We had ours raised from 6.73 to 8.7. That's around a 30% increase on top of the rate hike!
Too Much !
This is not a wise time for a rate hike ! I want to know whether board members get billed for water usage by the CFPUA or receive a discount for their service on this authority. There is quite a bit of motivation for moving out of NHC given the cost of living that we face. The ultimate responsibility is our elected officials who facilitated this merger.City and county officials encouraged this merger because is was a political hot potato . The infrastructure has been neglected for so long that it would have required tax increases and PR nightmares with continued sewer spills. Do not expect a break on much of anything. Be prepared for the local , state and federal government to have their hands in your pockets. Your disposable income will continue to diminish. They do not care about the struggles of working families.
Not a shock
So the "private" water company wants to raise rates and you will like it because you have no choice. I thought the government was against monopolies because they had the ability to do as they please because the customer was stuck. Seems like this is a perfect time to raise the same issues like the government tried with Microsoft.
New Hanover County Families Drowning in CFPUA Rate Increases
The CFPUA continues to discriminate against and punish familes in NHC with their tiered rate scheme. Keep in mind this is a 14% increase in water rates on top of the 25% increase in base rates in January, just 2 months ago. The CFPUA is one of the most powerful government entities in southeastern NC with the ability to spend money at will and raise rates(AKA tax) us to pay for it. Wake up New Hanover County and get out your wallets. These rate increases are only the beginning....
Big is Better??? No Cheaper
So you use 15,000 gallons a month- 3 times the 5000 gallons the small family uses. Is you increase 3 times the small family's increase. Of course not- barely double!
A$$holes! People are
A**holes! People are struggling enough right now, I understand things go up to cover certain expenses, but 14% !!!!! Gimme a break. Go to H*** CFPUA
Second that thought...
Makes me wonder if with folks cutting back they fully intend to keep the revenue coming in at a steady pace. For example we were able to save $10 on our bill this past cycle.... well we just lost it as we now have to pay the same using more next time. There comes a point where you really can't cut back anymore....
This entity is a !@#$#@!ing joke!!
Come on guys! We all should
Come on guys! We all should have seen this coming! remember a couple of months ago when the news articles were printed stating the raises the government heads were getting. People including some at cfpu were getting a 30,000 raise on top of a Big Bonus! where else is the money going to come from to pay those... That's right US! lucky us. I work between 50 to 60 hrs a week between at work and the stuff i have to take home to "Finish" and i am always broke! When are we the people Working and actually paying taxes gonna catch a break?
Very hard...
to see anything coming with the "position" New Hanover County, the City and other licensed to rob entities around here keeps its citizens in... if you catch my drift.
More like, "Thank you sir may I have another!?"
Jerks.....
What if everyone simply said, "No."
What would happen if every single customer of CFPUA kept paying the existing rate and refused to pay the new rates?
They can't declare war and go after everyone. They can't cut off service to everyone.
What if the citizens shut down every city council and county commissioner meeting until they dissolved or at least reined in this idiotic CFPUA
Time to say no. Tell them to go to blazes while paying them the same amount you pay now.
The power lies with the governed....time for everyone to grow a backbone and "just say no."
EVERYONE!
I understand But...
Hey if we all did this then we could also say do it to gas, the power company, etc. But I like to drive and I like to take a shower, so we need this things. SO shut up and pay for it or quite using so much water and gas etc. You don't need to water your grass all the time or drive when you can walk around the corner. PEACE!!
THIS
is what needs to happen people! SOONER rather than later!
"What if the citizens shut down every city council and county commissioner meeting until they dissolved or at least reined in this idiotic CFPUA"
Lock out
Just like during the annexation hearing they would simply not let you into the meeting.
Ah, but if the crowd gets big enough...
...and ill-tempered enough, you can lock them IN.
Keep in mind that at the time the Declaration of Independence was signed, less than 1 in 5 colonists supported independence from Britain. I find tyranny adminsitered by megalomaniacs in cheap suits to be just as distatsteful as tyranny administered by a British King.
Many municipal and state officials are taking their cue from Washington. We need to send a message to all of them.
This is a golden opportunity to start small.
I agree with you ,, BUT
I agree with you ,, BUT everyone has to pay the lower rate...
Come on people !!!!
If you keep paying without a fight they are just going to keep raising the bill..
People of Wilmington.. It's time to take a stand and fight back !!!!!
No argument here....
"We The People" don't really appreciate the power we wield. Most people have been led so far astray by the "duly elected" and "duly appointed" anymore that they actually think we work for them! And then come election time the sheep just can't remember..... :-(
The magic word here is "everyone" coupled with "no" That is where the breakdown actually occurs IMHO. But point well taken and agreed with....