Rate Increase(s)

DOUGLAS COUNTY SEWER DISTRICT

NOTICE OF RATE INCREASE

Effective January 1, 2024 - $52.50 per ERU per month

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING MANY CHANGES COMING IN 2024!!!!

In 2023, the District retained the services of FCS Group to complete a comprehensive rate study that included a review of current operating costs and projected capital facilities expenditures. The FCS Group study recommended the District increase rates to generate funds to help pay for necessary anticipated capital projects and to maintain the required standards of financial performance that will reduce bond interest rates and borrowing costs in instances where the District must rely on external financing sources. These projects include Treatment Plant upgrades, Collection System capacity remedies, and system expansion to meet the growing needs of the area.

General Facilities Charges (also known as Connection Fees)

A General Facilities Charge is collected for new connections to the sewer system. This helps minimize the impact to rate payers for system improvements. Currently, the GFC charge per Equivalent Residential Unit (“ERU”) is $5,748.00. Beginning January 1, 2024, the GFC charge will be $5,978.00 per ERU. This charge applies to connection of each single-family residence, and per unit of multi-family dwellings and Accessory Dwelling Units. The District will be eliminating the tiered GFC charge for multi-family dwellings.  *Effective January 01, 2025 GFC will increase to $6865.00 plus a $100.00 inspection fee based on the 2023 Rate Study.

Sewer Rates and Senior Discounts

Currently, residential customers are charged a fixed rate of $48.50 per month, per Equivalent Residential Unit (“ERU”).  Commercial and some industrial customers are charged the same fixed rate for each ERU of water usage (one ERU equals 900 cubic feet of water usage). Some industrial customers may be charged according to a different rate structure.

To attain the minimum financial standards recommended by the FCS Group Study, the District Commissioners approved the following rate plan.  The future per month, per ERU rates are as follows: 

The District will also be replacing its existing, tiered low-income senior discount program with one 25% rate discount. This will result in a larger discount for all qualifying customers.

Payments by Credit and Debit Cards

Historically, the District has absorbed the cost of processing credit and debit card payments. However, processing costs have become excessive. The District Commissioners approved assessing a portion of card processing costs to the customers who choose to use this form of payment. Effective March 1, 2024, the District will begin assessing a 2% service fee on any payments made with a credit or debit card.

Other No-Cost Payment Methods Available

There are other methods of payment available that have no service charge, such as arranging with the District for automatic payments to be deducted from a checking or savings account, and mailing or delivering cash or check payments to the office or drop box located in the District parking lot.

Monthly Billing

GOOD news for the customers who have asked for this! Beginning with December 2023, the District will be moving from bi-monthly billing to monthly billing for all accounts. Bills will be mailed by the 10^th of the month and due by the last day of the same month.

The Rate Study will be available on our website by the end of October. www.docosewer.org

Please contact the District with any questions: (509) 884-2484