Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities has appointed a Rate Study Stakeholder Advisory Group and is planning a series of public meetings beginning this month as it studies alternatives to the current water and sewer rate structure.

The utility came under fire last year after homeowners in north Mecklenburg complained about high water bills. Faulty water meters were suspected in some cases. A citizen task force that looked into the issue also suggested that the utility needed to overhaul the system’s rate structure.

In an announcement on its website Wednesday, CMU said, “The purpose of the 2010 Rate Study is to evaluate and consider alternatives to existing water and sewer rates, fees and charges. The goal is to recommend a rate structure that is considered fair and equitable while generating revenues required to operate the public water and sewer system.”

TWO MEETINGS

The utility has planned a series of public meetings around the county in September and October, including meetings in Huntersville. A Sept. 15 meeting will provide background on the existing rate structure and seek input. A second meeting Oct. 28 will present proposed alternatives. (Meeting details below.)

CMU has appointed a stakeholder group that includes Jim Duke of the Peninsula neighborhood in Cornelius and Bruce Anderson of Huntersville. The group also includes representatives from other parts of the county, the commercial and residential real estate industries, Catawba Riverkeeper David Merryman, and the N.C. Green Industry Council. Red Oak Consulting, as they develop a recommendation that will be shared with the Utilities Advisory Committee, the City Council Restructuring Government Committee, and presented to City Council for consideration in February 2011.

WANT TO GO?

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 15, 6 p.m., Lee Dukes Water Treatment Plant, 7980 Babe Stillwell Road, Huntersville – Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities hosts a public meeting to discuss alternatives to the current water & sewer rate structure. First of two meetings will provide background on existing rates and solicit input. A second meeting Oct. 28 at 6 pm will present proposed alternative rate structures. Info on the Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities web page.

THURSDAY, OCT. 28 6 p.m., Lee Dukes Water Treatment Plant, 7980 Babe Stillwell Road, Huntersville – Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities hosts a public meeting to discuss alternatives to the current water & sewer rate structure. This is the second of two meetings, and will present proposed alternative rate structures. [The first meeting Sept. 15 at 6 pm same site will provide background on existing rates and solicit input.] Info on the Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities web page.