Discussion
of Issues
Issue 1:
Should Consolidated Water Works, Inc.’s application
for a grandfather water certificate in Columbia County be acknowledged?
Recommendation:
Yes. Consolidated’s application should be acknowledged
and the Utility should be granted Certificate No. 693-W, effective May 16,
2024, to serve the territory described in Attachment A. The resultant order
should serve as Consolidated’s certificate and should be retained by the
Utility. (Thompson, Bardin)
Staff Analysis:
The Utility’s application
for certificate under grandfather rights to provide water service in Columbia
County is in compliance with Section 367.171(2)(b), F.S., and Rule 25-30.035,
F.A.C. An adequate service territory description and system maps were provided.
As the Utility has its own treatment facilities, the application contains warranty
deeds as proof of ownership of the land on which the Utility’s facilities are
located as required by Rule 25-30.035(11), F.A.C. A description of the
Utility’s territory is provided in Attachment A.
As stated in the case background, Consolidated has been in
existence since 1974 and currently serves 235 residential customers. The
Utility does not currently have any outstanding citations, violations, or
consent orders on file with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
The Utility is aware of its obligation
to submit its 2024 Annual Report pursuant to Rule 25-30.110, F.A.C., and is
also aware of its obligation to pay regulatory assessment fees pursuant to Rule
25-30.120, F.A.C. In addition, the Utility is aware that it must maintain its
books and records according to the National Association of Regulatory Utility
Commissioners’ Uniform System of Accounts.
Conclusion
Based on the above, staff recommends that Consolidated be
granted Certificate No. 693-W to serve the territory described in Attachment A.
The resultant order should serve as Consolidated’s certificate and should be
retained by the Utility.
Issue 2:
What rates, charges, and deposits should be approved
for Consolidated Water Works, Inc.?
Recommendation:
Of the Utility’s rates, charges, and deposits that
were approved by Columbia County and in effect when Columbia County transferred
jurisdiction to the Commission, the rates, charges, and initial customer
deposit shown on Schedule No. 1 are appropriate and should be approved. In addition,
the Utility’s existing Violation Reconnection Charge and Premise Visit Charge
should be approved. These charges, as well as the rate, charges, and initial customer
deposit shown in Schedule No. 1, should be effective for service rendered or
connections made on or after the stamped approval date on the tariff sheets
pursuant to Rule 25-30.475, F.A.C. The Utility should be required to charge the
approved Violation Reconnection Charge and Premise Visit Charge, as well as the
rates, charges, and initial customer deposit shown in Schedule No. 1 until
authorized to change them by the Commission in a subsequent proceeding. (Bethea)
Staff Analysis:
Columbia
County Board of County Commissioners approved the Utility’s current monthly
water rates by Resolution Number 2024R-05 on March 21, 2024. The monthly water
rates consist of a base facility charge and gallonage charge per 1,000 gallons.
The Utility’s water charges consist of miscellaneous service charges that have
been in effect since the Utility was acquired by the existing owner, however,
some of the miscellaneous service charges are not consistent with Florida
Statutes or Commission Rules and staff recommends they be modified in Issue 3. Though,
as stated previously, the Utility’s existing Violation Reconnection Charge and
Premise Visit Charge remain unchanged and should be approved herein. The
Utility is fully built out and has no service availability charges.
Conclusion
Staff
recommends that, of the Utility’s rates, charges, and deposits that were approved
by Columbia County and in effect when Columbia County transferred jurisdiction
to the Commission, only the rates, charges, and initial customer deposit shown
on Schedule No. 1, and the Utility’s existing Violation Reconnection Charge and
Premise Visit Charge, are appropriate and should be approved. The rates,
charges, and initial customer deposit shown on Schedule No. 1 should be
effective for service rendered or connections made on or after the stamped
approval date on the tariff sheets pursuant to Rule 25-30.475, F.A.C. The Utility
should be required to charge the approved Violation Reconnection Charge and
Premise Visit Charge, as well as the rates, charges, and initial customer deposit
shown in Schedule No. 1 until authorized to change them by the Commission in a
subsequent proceeding.
Issue 3:
What are the appropriate miscellaneous service charges
for Consolidate Water Works, Inc.?
Recommendation:
With the exception of the Utility’s existing
Violation Reconnection Charge and Premise Visit Charge (which are approved in
Issue 2), no other miscellaneous service charge should be approved. The
appropriate miscellaneous service charges are shown on Table 3-2. The Utility should
be required to file a proposed customer notice to reflect the
Commission-approved charges. The approved charges should be effective for
service rendered or connections made on or after the stamped approval date on
the tariff sheet pursuant to Rule 25-30.475, F.A.C. In addition, the tariff
sheets will be approved upon staff’s verification that the tariffs are
consistent with the Commission’s decision and that the proposed customer notice
is adequate. (Bethea)
Staff Analysis:
The Utility did not request
to revise its existing miscellaneous service charges. Section
367.091, F.S., authorizes the Commission to establish, increase, or change a
rate or charge other than monthly rates or service availability charges. Staff
recommends that some of the Utility’s existing charges, namely the Initial
Connection and Normal Reconnection charges, should be revised to conform with
Rule 25-30.460, F.A.C. As discussed in Issue 2, the Utility’s Violation
Reconnection Charge and Premise Visit Charge should be approved without
modification. The Utility’s current miscellaneous service charges for water
consist of various charges and are shown on Table 3-1.
Table 3-1
Consolidated
Water Works, Inc.
Existing
Miscellaneous Service Charges
|
|
Existing Water
|
|
Initial Connection Charge
|
$25.00
|
|
Normal
Reconnection Charge
|
$25.00
|
|
Violation Reconnection Charge
|
$25.00
|
|
Premise Visit Charge
|
$25.00
|
|
|
|
Source:
Utility’s current tariff and response to staff’s deficiencies
Premises Visit and Violation Reconnection Charge
As shown above on Table 3-1, the Utility’s existing miscellaneous
service charges consists of initial connection and normal reconnection charges.
However, pursuant to Rule 25-30.460(2)(a), F.A.C., initial connection
and normal reconnection charges are subsumed within the definition of the
premises visit charge. Therefore, staff recommends that the initial connection
and normal reconnection charges be removed. Staff recommends that the definition for
the premises visit charge be updated to comply with Rule 25-30.460, F.A.C.
The appropriate miscellaneous service charges shown on Table 3-2 should be
approved.
Table 3-2
Consolidated Water Works, Inc.
Staff Recommended
Miscellaneous Service Charges
|
Premises Visit
|
$25
|
|
Violation Reconnection Charge
(Water)
|
$25
|
Conclusion
The Utility’s existing Violation Reconnection Charge and
Premise Visit Charge remain unchanged and are recommended for approval in Issue
2. The Initial Connection Charge and
Normal Reconnection Charge should be removed because they fall within Rule
25-30.460(2)(a), F.A.C.’s, definition of premises visit charge. The Utility
should be required to file a proposed customer notice to reflect the
Commission-approved charges. The approved charges should be effective for
service rendered or connections made on or after the stamped approval date on
the tariff sheet pursuant to Rule 25-30.475(2), F.A.C. In addition, the tariff
sheets should be approved upon staff’s verification that the tariffs are
consistent with the Commission’s decision and that the proposed customer notice
is adequate.
Issue 4:
Should this docket be closed?
Recommendation:
No. If no person whose substantial
interests are affected by the proposed agency action portion of this
recommendation files a protest within 21 days of the issuance of the order, a
consummating order should be issued. The docket should remain open for staff’s verification
that the revised tariff sheets and customer notice have been filed by the
Utility and approved by staff. Once this action is complete, this docket should
be closed administratively. (Marquez, Farooqi)
Staff Analysis:
If no person whose substantial
interests are affected by the proposed agency action portion of this
recommendation files a protest within 21 days of the issuance of the order, a
consummating order should be issued. The docket should remain open for staff’s
verification that the revised tariff sheets and customer notice have been filed
by the Utility and approved by staff. Once this action is complete, this docket
should be closed administratively.
DESCRIPTION OF TERRITORY SERVED
Consolidated Water Works, Inc.
Columbia County Water Service Area
Azalea Park Legal
Description:
COMMENCE AT THE NORTHWEST
CORNER OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼ OF THE NORTHEAST ¼, SECTION 19, TOWNSHIP 4 SOUTH,
RANGE 17 EAST, AND RUN S 89°22’00” E ALONG THE NORTH LINE OF SAID SOUTHWEST ¼
OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ 410.80 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, THENCE CONTINUE S
89°22’00” E, ALONG SAID NORTH LINE OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼ OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ 995.20
FEET, THENCE S 0°40’00” E ALONG THE EAST LINE OF SAID SOUTHWEST ¼ OF THE
NORTHEAST ¼ 1361.70 FEET, THENCE N 88°16’30” W ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID
SOUTHWEST ¼ OF THE NORTHEAST ¼ 1406.25 FEET, THENCE N 9°02’00” E PARALLEL TO
STATE ROAD NO. 47 A DISTANCE OF 694.65 FEET, THENCE S 89°16’30” W PARALLEL TO
THE SOUTH LINE OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼ OF THE NORTHWEST ¼ 417.00 FEET, THENCE N
9°02’00” E ALONG THE EAST LINE OF STATE ROAD NO. 47 A DISTANCE OF 296.00 FEET,
THENCE S 89°22’00” E, PARALLEL TO SAID NORTH LINE OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼ OF THE
NORTHEAST ¼ 597.00 FEET, THENCE N 9°02’00” E PARALLEL TO STATE ROAD NO. 47 A
DISTANCE OF 369.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING. SAID LAND LYING IN THE
SOUTHWEST ¼ OF THE NORTHEAST ¼, AND THE SOUTHEAST ¼ OF THE NORTHWEST ¼, SECTION
19, TOWNSHIP 4 SOUTH, RANGE 17 EAST, COLUMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA AND CONTAINING
42.23 ACRES MORE OR LESS.
Shady Oaks Acres Unit 1 Legal
Description:
COMMENCE AT THE SOUTHWEST
CORNER OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼ OF THE SOUTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 20, TOWNSHIP 4 SOUTH,
RANGE 16 EAST, AND RUN N 0°20’30” W, 40 FEET, TO THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF
STATE ROAD NO. S-242 TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING, THENCE CONTINUE N 0°20’30” W
ALONG THE WEST LINE OF SAID SOUTHWEST ¼ OF SOUTHEAST ¼ 995.0 FEET, THENCE N
89°03’30” E, 705 FEET, THENCE S 0°20’30” E 995 FEET TO THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY
LINE OF SAID STATE ROAD, THENCE S 89°03’30” W, 705 FEET, TO THE POINT OF
BEGINNING.
Shady Oaks Acres Unit 2 Legal
Description:
COMMENCE AT THE SOUTHWEST
CORNER OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼ OF SOUTHEAST ¼ OF SECTION 20, TOWNSHIP 4 SOUTH, RANGE
16 EAST AND RUN THENCE N 89°03’30” E, ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF THE SOUTHWEST ¼
OF SOUTHEAST ¼, 705.00 FEET, THENCE N 0°20’30” W, 145.00 FEET TO THE POINT OF
BEGINNING, THENCE CONTINUE N 0°20’30 W, 865.00 FEET, THENCE N 89°03’30” E
750.00 FEET, THENCE S 0°20’30” E 970.00 FEET, TO THE NORTH RIGHT OF WAY LINE OF
STATE ROAD NO. S-242, THENCE S 89°03’30 W ALONG SAID NORTH RIGHT OF WAY LINE
540.00 FEET, THENCE N 0°20’30” W, 105.00 FEET, THENCE S 89°03’30” W, 210.00
FEET TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.
Shady Oaks Acres Unit 2 Addition Legal
Description:
COMMENCE AT THE SOUTHWEST
CORNER OF THE SOUTHWEST ONE-QUARTER (SW ¼) OF THE SOUTHEAST ONE-QUARTER (SE ¼),
SECTION 20, TOWNSHIP 4-SOUTH, RANGE 16-EAST, AND RUN THENCE N 89°03'30" E,
ALONG THE SOUTH LINE OF SAID SECTION, 1245.00 FEET, THENCE N 0°20'30" W,
40.00 FEET, TO THE NORTH RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF STATE ROAD NO. S-242 AND TO THE
POINT OF BEGINNING, THENCE CONTINUE N 0°20'30" W, 970.00 FEET, THENCE N 89°03'30"
E, 1310.03 FEET, TO THE NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF STATE ROAD NO. 247, THENCE
S 41°30'0” W, ALONG SAID NORTHWESTERLY RIGHT-OF-WAY, 1029.81 FEET, THENCE S 89°03'30"
W, 433.04 FEET, THENCE S 0°22'46" E, 210.00 FEET, TO THE NORTH
RIGHT-OF-WAY LINE OF STATE ROAD NO. S-242, THENCE S 89°03' 30" W, 190.14
FEET, TO THE POINT OF BEGINNING.
242 Village Legal
Description:
THE SW ¼ OF THE SW ¼ OF
SECTION 21, TOWNSHIP 4 SOUTH, RANGE 17 EAST, COLUMBIA COUNTY, FLORIDA, LESS AND
EXCEPT, RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR STATE ROAD 242.
