25-30.446. Notice of and Public Information for Application for Limited Proceeding Rate Increase

(1) This rule applies to all applications for limited proceeding rate increases made by a water or wastewater utility.

(2) Upon filing an application for limited proceeding rate increase, the utility must notify the chief executive officer of the governing body of each municipality and county within the service areas included in the rate request that the utility has applied for a limited proceeding rate increase. The notification must clearly identify the Commission-assigned docket number and include a statement that a copy of the application and Minimum Filing Requirements (MFRs) set forth in Rule 25-30.445, F.A.C., can be accessed on the Commission’s website.

(3) Upon filing an application and MFRs for a limited proceeding, the utility must publish a notice of application in a newspaper of general circulation in the service areas included in the application.

(4)(a) Within 50 days after the official date of filing established by the Commission, the utility must provide, in writing, an initial customer notice to all customers within the service areas included in the rate request and to all persons in the same service areas who have filed a written request for service or who have been provided a written estimate for service within the 12 calendar months prior to the month the petition is filed.

(b) The initial customer notice must be approved by Commission staff prior to distribution and must include the following:

1. The date the notice is to be issued;

2. A statement that the utility has filed a rate request with the Commission and a statement of the general reasons for the request;

3. A statement that the MFRs and application are available on the Commission’s website;

4. A comparison of current rates and charges and the proposed new rates and charges;

5. The utility’s address, telephone number, and business hours;

6. A statement that written comments regarding utility service or the proposed rates and charges should be addressed to the Office of Commission Clerk, 2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0870, and that such comments should identify the docket number assigned to the proceeding;

7. A statement that complaints regarding service may be made to the Commission’s Office of Consumer Assistance and Outreach at the following toll-free number: 1(800)342-3552; and,

8. The docket number assigned by the Commission’s Office of Commission Clerk.

(c) The initial customer notice must be mailed to the out-of-town address of all customers who have provided the utility with an out-of-town address.

(5) No less than 14 days and no more than 30 days prior to the date of a customer meeting conducted by the Commission staff, the utility must provide written notice of the date, time, location, and purpose of the customer meeting to all customers within the service areas designated by the Commission staff. The notice must be approved by Commission staff prior to distribution. The notice must be mailed to the out-of-town address of all customers who have provided the utility with an out-of-town address.

(6) If a proposed agency action order issued in the case is protested and any hearings are subsequently held, the utility must give notice in accordance with subsection (5) of this rule. The utility must also publish in a newspaper of general circulation in the area in which such hearing is to be held a display advertisement stating the date, time, location, and purpose of the hearing. The notice must be approved by Commission staff prior to publication.

(7) After the Commission issues an order granting or denying a rate change, the utility must notify its customers of the order and any revised rates. The customer notification must be first approved by Commission staff and must be distributed no later than with the first bill containing any revised rates.

Rulemaking Authority 350.127(2), 367.121(1)(a) FS. Law Implemented 367.0822, 367.121(1)(a) FS. History–New 3-1-04, Amended 12-8-21.