A public hearing will be held Thursday to consider the water company’s requested 32.5% jump in water rates.
Roats Water System requested the rate increase in March, citing the cost to operate a portion of the former Juniper Utility Co. that it wants to buy from the city of Bend. The City Council agreed April 6 to the sale for $1.4 million.
After the public hearing Thursday, the judge, Patrick Power, will recommend a schedule for the Oregon Public Utility Commission to hear the rate request, he wrote in an email Tuesday. The commission in March placed a year-long hold on the Roats’ request to allow further study. The rate increase would have taken affect in July.
(READ MORE: Bend Bulletin)
The hearing will take place Thursday, May 5 at the Summit High School in Bend at 6 p.m.
Cascade Natural Gas recently requested a rate increase that would add an average of $2.07 per month to residential utility bills.
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