Rate Setting Process
According to its charter as enacted by the Georgia State Legislature, the HCWSA has the exclusive authority to establish rates and charges for water and sewer services supplied by its system. The HCWSA Board of Directors attempts to keep rates at the lowest amount possible that will still allow the Authority to effectively provide water and sewerage service safely and effectively to the citizens of Henry County. The members of the Authority establish the rates, which are subject to change as deemed necessary by the board, and adopt rate schedules by resolution, following recommendations from the Authority staff.
On April 2, 1992, the Georgia Development Impact Fee Act was amended to provide that hook-up or connection fees imposed as a condition of water or sewer service are subject to the same procedures and requirements applicable to the adoption, imposition, collection, and expenditure of development impact fees. Thus, the Impact Fee Act implemented by Georgia Law a decade ago indirectly affects the rate structure of the HCWSA.
The HCWSA staff also makes periodic reviews of the rate structure to determine if additional modifications are needed.
In addition, when determining rates for customers, HCWSA leadership factors in the financial resources necessary to implement the Authority's master plan of system improvements for one of the fastest growing counties in the United States.
