The Governors of the U.S. Postal Service have approved new prices for mailing services, including a 2-cent increase in the price of a First Class Mail stamp to 44 cents. Prices for mailing services are reviewed annually and adjusted each May. The new prices go into effect Monday, May 11th.
However, FOREVER STAMPS will save you money! You can continue to mail letters at today's lower prices if you purchase the Forever Stamps prior to May 11th. Forever Stamps were created to help people ease the transition during price changes. They do not have a denomination and will be honored whenever they are used with no need for additional postage for a 1-ounce letter mailing.
Check it out at
www.usps.com!
Labels: forever stamp, postage, rate increase, stamp, usps
The Forsyth County government will implement increased water and sewer rates to help offset projected revenue shortfalls. The increases were part of a Resolution adopted by the Board of Commissioners January 8th, following a Public Hearing on the topic.
The residential water base rate will change from $12 for the first 3,000 gallons to $12 for the first 1,000 gallons. The senior citizen account water base rate will change from $9 for the first 3,000 gallons to $9 for the first 1,000 gallons (senior citizen water accounts are available for customers age 62 and up upon request to the Water and Sewer Department).
All residential water customers using 1,001 to 2,000 gallons monthly will pay an additional $3.40; those using 2,001 to 3,000 gallons monthly will pay an additional $6.80. The same tiered rates previously in effect remain in place for every additional 1,000 gallons used over 3,000 gallons.
A residential sewer base rate of $10 will also go into effect, as will a commercial sewer base rate of $20. In addition, accounts will continue to be charged a usage fee in accordance with existing rates.
Customers will begin seeing the new water and sewer rates on their bills sent beginning February 1st.
The rate increase is considered interim, while Forsyth County awaits the completion of a rate study that will lead to development of a long-term approach.
Additional changes included in the Resolution adopted January 8th are listed below:
Security Deposits for Residential CustomersA security deposit of $75 will be required from a property owner to activate water service. This is an increase from the previous deposit of $50. Consumers who do not own the property to which service is to be provided will pay a security deposit of $125, up from $100.
Initial Water Connection FeesThe initial water connection fees for both residential and commercial customers have increased to be more consistent with those in surrounding counties.
Reconnection FeesThe fee for reconnection of service will be $50 for each meter being reconnected. Meters reconnected between 3:30 p.m. and 8:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and at anytime during the weekend will be subject to an after-hours reconnect fee of $100.
Water Meter Tampering and Damage FeesFor water meters needing replacement due to tampering or damages, the account holder will be charged $150 plus materials and labor costs. If the wire seal on the meter is broken and the backflow is required to be replaced, an additional charge of $150 plus materials and labor costs will be charged to the account holder.
Meter Re-Read and Testing FeesThe county will make one special water meter reading at the request of a consumer at no charge. If additional requests are made and it is determined by the county that additional readings are not necessary, a fee of $20 will be charged to the consumer.
The county will test a water meter on-site at the request of the consumer once at no charge. If additional requests are made and it is determined by the county that further tests are not necessary, a charge of $20 for an on-site test or $100 for the removal of the meter and laboratory tests will be assessed and posted to the consumer’s account. If the meter is found to over-register beyond 2% of the correct volume, the charge will be credited to the consumer’s account.
Increase in Commercial Water RatesThe base rate for commercial water customers based on service meter size remains in place and will include the first 1,000 gallons used. The minimum charge of $3.54 for the first 3,000 gallons has changed to $3.72 for every 1,000 gallons used after the first thousand gallons. Customers will begin seeing these new rates on their bills sent beginning February 1st.
Reuse Water Rate IncreaseThe rate for reuse water has increased from $1.75 per 1,000 gallons to $2.25 per 1,000 gallons. Reuse water is wastewater that has been highly treated and disinfected and then used primarily for irrigation. Customers will begin seeing these new reuse water rates on their bills sent beginning February 1st.
Click Here to view the Resolution and additional rate information.
Labels: 2009, forsyth county, rate increase, water and sewer
Forsyth County government is considering the implementation of increased water and sewer rates for 2009, to help offset projected revenue shortfalls. A Public Hearing regarding the proposed rate increases is scheduled for the January 8, 2009 Board of Commissioners meeting.
The proposed increase would change the residential water base rate from $12 for the first 3,000 gallons to $12 for the first 1,000 gallons. The senior citizen water base rate would change from $9 for the first 3,000 gallons to $9 for the first 1,000 gallons. Customers using 1,001 to 2,000 gallons monthly would pay an additional $3.40; those using 2,001 to 3,000 gallons monthly would pay an additional $6.80. The same tiered rates in effect now would remain in place for every additional 1,000 gallons used over 3,000 gallons.
The proposed new residential sewer base rate would be $10; the proposed sewer base rate for commercial accounts would be $20. In addition, accounts would be charged a usage fee in accordance with existing rates.
"The proposed water and sewer rate increases are necessary because of a decrease in revenues due to several factors including the ongoing drought, the outdoor water restrictions that remain in effect and the slowdown in development," Chief Financial Officer Bill Thomas said. "If the rates are not increased, we are projecting a $5 million operating loss for the Water and Sewer Department for 2009."
The rate increases would be considered interim, while Forsyth County awaits the completion of a rate study that will lead to development of a long-term approach. Thomas anticipates being able to present the rate study to the Board of Commissioners in the second quarter of 2009.
The Water and Sewer Department is an enterprise fund which does not utilize funding from the county's General Fund. Water and Sewer operations rely solely on user fees, and do not receive property taxes or sales tax. Water and Sewer operations are required, by accounting standards, to be self-supporting.
The Public Hearing on the proposed rate increases will be held Thursday, January 8, 2009 in Suite 220 of the County Administration Building, located at 110 E. Main St. in Cumming. The meeting begins at 5 p.m. All interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend.
Labels: forsyth county, public hearings, rate increase, sewer, water
