25-30.455: Staff Assistance in Rate Cases
25-30.456: Staff Assistance in Alternative Rate Setting
25-30.457: Limited Alternative Rate Increase
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To change the necessary requirements to receive staff assistance in rate cases for water and wastewater utilities.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Staff assistance in rate cases for water and wastewater companies.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 350.127(2), 367.121, 371.0814 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 350.123, 367.0814, 367.121, 367.145(2) FS.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Beth Shankle-Anderson, Office of General Counsel, 2540 Shumard Oak Blvd., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850, (850)413-6216
THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:
25-30.455 Staff Assistance in Rate Cases.
(1) Water and wastewater utilities whose total gross annual operating revenues are $250,000 $150,000 or less for water service or $250,000 $150,000 or less for wastewater service, or $500,000 $300,000 or less on a combined basis, may petition the Commission for staff assistance in rate applications by submitting a completed staff assisted rate case application. In accordance with Section 367.0814(4), F.S., a utility that requests staff assistance waives its right to protest by agreeing to accept the final rates and charges approved by the Commission unless the final rates and charges would produce less revenue than the existing rates and charges. If a utility that chooses to utilize the staff assistance option employs outside experts to assist in developing information for staff or to assist in evaluating staff’s schedules and conclusions, the reasonable and prudent expense will be recoverable through the rates developed by staff. A utility that chooses not to exercise the option of staff assistance may file for a rate increase under the provisions of Rule 25-30.443, F.A.C.
(2) through (14) No change.
Specific Authority 367.121, 371.0814 FS. Law Implemented 367.0814 FS. History–New 12-8-80, Formerly 25-10.180, Amended 11-10-86, 8-26-91, 11-30-93, 1-31-00,_________.
25-30.456 Staff Assistance in Alternative Rate Setting.
(1) As an alternative to a staff assisted rate case as described in Rule 25-30.455, F.A.C., water and wastewater utilities whose total gross annual operating revenues are $250,000 $150,000 or less for water service or $250,000 $150,000 or less for wastewater service, or $500,000 $300,000 or less on a combined basis, may petition the Commission for staff assistance in alternative rate setting by submitting a completed staff assisted application for alternative rate setting.
(2) through (19) No change.
Specific Authority 367.0814, 367.121 FS. Law Implemented 367.0814 FS. History–New 11-30-93, Amended 1-31-00,_________.
25‑30.457 Limited Alternative Rate Increase.
(1) As an alternative to a staff assisted rate case as described in Rules 25-30.455 and 25-30.456, F.A.C., water utilities whose total gross annual operating revenues are $250,000 $150,000 or less for water service and wastewater utilities whose total gross annual operating revenues are $250,000 $150,000 or less for wastewater service may petition the Commission for a limited alternative rate increase of up to 20 percent applied to metered or flat recurring rates of all classes of service by submitting a completed application that includes the information required by subsections (8) and (9). In accordance with Section 367.0814(6), F.S., a utility that requests staff assistance waives its right to protest by agreeing to accept the final rates and charges approved by the Commission unless the final rates and charges would produce less revenue than the existing rates and charges. The original and two copies of the application shall be filed with the Office of Commission Clerk.
(2) through (18) No change.
Specific Authority 350.127(2), 367.0814, 367.121(1)(a) FS. Law Implemented 350.123, 367.0814, 367.121, 367.145(2) FS. History– New 3-15-05, Amended_________.