Utility Public Hearing — Agenda

244 RIDGE AVENUE, BENTON WI 53803 | PH (608) 759-3721 | FAX (608) 759-3212 VILLAGE OF BENTON PUBLIC NOTICE TO ALL CUSTOMERS OF THE BENTON MUNICIPAL ELECTRIC AND WATER UTILITY The Benton Municipal Electric and Water Utility (Utility) has filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (Commission) to increase water rates. The increase is necessary due to a 52.55 percent increase in gross plant investment and a 111.16 percent increase in operating expenses since the last water conventional case was completed in 1998. The total increase in water revenues requested is $73,321 which will result in an estimated overall rate increase of 27.92 percent over the water utility’s present revenues. The Utility’s current total public fire protection (PFP) cost is $87,799, which includes the additional storage, pumping, and distribution costs required to provide the high flows and pressures needed to fight fires. The Utility currently collects $87,799 from the Village of Benton (Village) for providing PFP water service to the Village. This municipal PFP charge is based on 100 percent of the Utility’s total PFP cost. The Village collects the funds to pay for the municipal PFP charge through property taxes. The Village recently approved changing the Utility’s method of PFP cost recovery from the municipal PFP charge to a direct PFP charge collected through direct bills to water utility customers. Accordingly, the Utility requested Commission authorization to collect a direct PFP charge from each customer of the water utility and requested the charge be based on the equivalent meters method. This change would allow the Utility to collect a portion of the PFP charge from property owners who benefit from the Utility’s PFP but are not subject to property taxes. This request conforms with Wis. Stat. § 196.03(3)(b), which provides municipalities the option to charge PFP directly on the water utility bills of general service customers as well as non-general service customers who own land that is located in the Village and in an area in which the municipal utility has an obligation provide water for PFP. The Utility intends to charge non-general service customers pursuant to Wis. Stat. § 196.03(3)(b). The Village adopted a resolution setting the annual direct charge for PFP service to 100 percent of the total cost of PFP service, calculated using the equivalent meters method. The proposed total PFP cost is $133,572. If the request is granted, the water bill for an average Residential customer with a ⅝-inch or ¾-inch meter who uses 400 cubic feet of water per month will increase from $32.35 to $56.82, or 75.64 percent, which includes the overall increase from the rate case and the Utility’s request to switch from a municipal to direct PFP charges. A public hearing on the application has been scheduled for Monday, September 15, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. This hearing has no physical location. Parties and Commission staff appear by Zoom. Parties and Commission staff may use the telephone connection as a backup or if no adequate internet connection exists. Members of the public participate by Zoom or may use the telephone connection as a backup or if no adequate internet connection exists. 244 RIDGE AVENUE, BENTON WI 53803 | PH (608) 759-3721 | FAX (608) 759-3212 VILLAGE OF BENTON Join Zoom over the internet at: https://us02web.zoom.us/my/pschearings The Commission intends to livestream and record this hearing on YouTube. A member of the public may observe without participation any hearing session by: 1. Attending any physical location as noticed, 2. Watching on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/@PSCWI-Hearings, 3. If no adequate internet connection exists, listening by telephone. • Dial: +1 312 626 6799 • Enter Meeting ID: 809 513 2930 A person may testify in this proceeding without becoming a party and without attorney representation. A person may submit this testimony in only one of the following ways:  Web Comment. File a comment on the internet. Go to the Commission’s web site at http://psc.wi.gov, and click the dropdown menu labeled “Commission Actions”. Select the item labeled “File a Public Comment”. On the next page select the “File a comment” link that appears for docket number 460-WR-103. Web comments shall be received no later than Wednesday, September 17, 2025.  Live Comment. Make a live comment at the hearing. The ALJ may receive live comments from any member of the public in attendance after the close of any party and Commission staff testimony. The ALJ will receive such comments by stating the name of each member of the public connected to the hearing one at a time and asking if they would like to comment.  Mail Comment. Send a comment by U.S. Mail. All comments submitted by U.S. Mail shall be received no later than Wednesday, September 17, 2025 and shall be addressed to: Attn: Docket 460-WR-103 Comments, Public Service Commission, P.O. Box 7854, Madison, WI 53707-7854. To access the documents, schedule, and other information about this docket, go to the Commission’s web site at http://psc.wi.gov, select the dropdown menu labeled “eServices”. Select the item labeled “Docket Search (CMS)”. On the next page enter 460-WR-103 in the spaces labeled “Case #” and select “Search”. If you have any questions, please contact the Benton Municipal Electric and Water Utility at (608) 759-3721. August 06, 2025