March 28, 2023
It is with deep regret that I must forward this information. I was contacted late afternoon last Thursday, March 23, 2023, by Joe Ahlvin, Illinois American Water Company’s Senior Operations Manager for their Southern Division. Mr. Ahlvin called to inform me that IAWC has filed with the Illinois Commerce Commission for the ability to apply three separate surcharges to the Bond Madison Water Company billing each month. Mr. Ahlvin previously communicated to me that there would not be any surcharges the remainder of 2023 due to the ICC approving their recent request for a rate increase. Historically, when they are granted a rate increase, these surcharges are reset to zero for the remainder of the year that the rate increase went into effect. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem as though that is the case this year. IAWC increased the rates that Bond Madison pays by 27% in February 2023.
The surcharges they are requesting are titled Qualifying Infrastructure Plant Surcharge (QIP), Volume Balancing Adjustment (VBA), and the Invested Tax Surcharge (ICT). According to the “unconfirmed” information that I have researched on the ICC website, these surcharges could equate to approximately 14% additional expense to BMWC. IAWC filed for these surcharges on March 20, 2023, and if accepted, will go into effect April 1, 2023. The Illinois Commerce Commission docket numbers for the surcharges are as follows:
Qualifying Infrastructure Plant Surcharge: P2023-0213
https://www.icc.illinois.gov/docket/P2023-0213
Volume Balancing Adjustment: P2023-0233
https://www.icc.illinois.gov/docket/P2023-0233
Invested Tax Surcharge: P2023-0232
https://www.icc.illinois.gov/docket/P2023-0232
I have reached out to a few of our elected officials, House of Representative from District 109, and Illinois Senator from District 55. I have also commented on the specific docket numbers on the ICC website. I am asking, as members of Bond Madison Water Company, to “File A Comment” in each of the public comments sections. I apologize for the very short notice, but I’m hoping we can get our concerns heard and have a positive effect in this situation.
Respectfully,
Marty Landmann (Operator/Manager)
