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• January 10, 2012
  Ferson Creek Utilities is asking for a 95% increase in rates. While they have not raised rates for some time, a single increase of this magnitude seems very out of line. This is especially true in the current economic times. It would seem that a maximum 50-60% increase would be more logical.
  11-0565 · Al Anderson
• November 14, 2011
  Ferson Creek Utilities Company requested 95% increase is price gouging. There is no way this company can justify almost a 100% increase in price to it's consumers stating it needs to cover "current operating expenses".
  
  In addition, FCUC is also price gouging by charging a fixed wastewater service charge to each customer regardless of the amount of water used. A single individual must pay the same service fee as a family of six, irregardless of the amount of water discharged into the sewer system. This fee needs to be restructured based on the number of gallons used.
  
  This is another case of taking a monopoly advantage of consumers because the consumer has no choice in the matter.
  
  The increase should be reduced to a reasonable amount, perhaps 60% pro-rated over a 3 year period.
  
  Wastewater Service charge needs to be based on usage -NOT a flat fee.
  11-0565 · Susan M. Miller
• November 14, 2011
  Our current water/sewer is about $90.00 a month and I think a hike in rates of over 50% is to high.They have made do for about 36 years since 1984 with current rates so now why the sudden hikes? Thanks for your time.
  11-0565 · Roy Christensen
• November 9, 2011
  I would like to express a big concern regarding Ferson Creek Utilities 95% increase from our present rate. I could understand the need to increase since everything you can think of are increasing, but to increase 95% is not only out of the question but it is insult to our intelligence of the residents. I think their tactic is to put a percentage larger than what they actually is needed to negotiate the rate they WANT.
  
  Their reasoning to cover the operating expenses, but actually profiting.
  
  I ask you to look in to this request and block the request.
  11-0565 · K. M.
• November 9, 2011
  they are charging to much now do not give them what they want even though they say the water is good we still get yellow water often. They need to improve what they supply befor arking for more
  
  conrad hecker
  11-0565 · conrad
• October 31, 2011
  What a shame. You haven't asked for an increase since 1984, so now you want to make up for lost time. As a senior living on Social security & a small pension I find it very hard to digest this. thanks you
  11-0565 · gregory Mittman
• October 31, 2011
  I am responding to the proposed 95% increase in water and sewer charges for the Ferson Creek Utilities Company. While I understand that we have had some necessary capital improvements I believe this steep increase is not necessary. From a personal standpoint it will be a real hardship coming up with that additional expense. I have been unemployed for over 2 years and this is an expense I can not afford but will have no choice but to pay if it is approved. Why were there no increases in smaller amounts over the years? An increase of this size all at one time shows lack of foresight on the utilities part and we should not be penalized for poor business practices. I urge you to take the economy into account and put any increase into line wih the current rate of inflation.
  11-0565 · Jonathan Cooper
• October 31, 2011
  Good Morning,
  
  No rate increase since 1984. A 95% increase now requested which translates into approximately a $600/year cost increase to me; the customer.
  
  Please consider the following prior to making any decisions;
  - why has Ferson Creek Utilities been unable to pass along rising costs in the last 27 years?
  - Why is it that the new owners of Ferson Creek Utilities are unable to run their company without almost doubling the cost for us ?
  - Assuming due diligence prior to taking ownership, Ferson Creek Utilities should be able to operate on current funding with reasonable rate hikes as time goes by. Almost $600/year is not a reasonable increase by any definition.
  
  I suggest Ferson Creek start by streamlining their own operations instead of simply passing along massive increases to it's customers. Do the hard work and make some cutbacks, just like the rest of us are doing in this economy.
  
  Sincerely,
  Steve Butler
  11-0565 · Steve Butler
• October 25, 2011
  A rate increase of 95% in this economy is ludicrous and way out of line. Why were there not smaller increases since 1984 instead of trying to load a significant increase now when times are already difficult for many people.
  11-0565 · mary ferguson
• October 25, 2011
  It seems to me that a 95% rate increase is a bit out of line. Especially in this economy when people are struggling to pay their mortgages. Why were not smaller rate increases between 1984 and now. To ask for a 95% rate increase now isn't reasonable.
  11-0565 · mary ferguson
• October 25, 2011
  I just don"t understand where UTILITY COMPANIES and POLITICIANS think that the average tax payer can just keep digging deeper in their pockets and come up with more money.We only make so much a year.It is understandable that operating expenses go up every year but to ask for a 95% increase? all of of you have the tax payer to ask for more money,whom do we turn to to ask for more money when we need it!!!!! At this point ask all you want,but we the tax payers are running dry and then what are going to do????
  11-0565 · Jesse C Romero
• October 25, 2011
  I am against the proposal to increase water and sewer rates by 95%. I agree that rate increases are required due to inflationary issues and required maintenance of infrastructure. I would expect such a large increase be phased in over a 3 to 5 year period to lessen the financial burden on all users and still bring the cost into line with other water & sewer services provided in surrounding areas.
  11-0565 · Greg Palagi
• October 25, 2011
  A 95% increase is outrageous to ask for at this time with our economy. Please reject this proposed increase - a 5-10% increase would be easier to manage. I also agree with the all the other comments that have been made. Thank you.
  11-0565 · Ginger Evans
• October 25, 2011
  I live in the Windings and received about a month ago a notice to increase rates. I can understand the reason behind it, but what I can't understand is why the 95% increase. I don't mind paying a reasonable increase but I think that 95% is not reasonable. I would like to know the real reason for such a request. What exactly did go up when it comes to expenses? I know that Ferson Creek Utilities changed ownership and is this the real reason behind the 95% increase?
  These are hard times for everyone who lives here. The average SOLD price of all homes in the Windings for the year 2011 is $245,607 (according to Great western Properties/Cody Salter) Most homes are assessed above 300,000 and more. Our property values go down and the taxes do go up.
  Give us a break PLEASE and make a reasonable rate increase.
  11-0565 · Lorraine Kramer
• October 25, 2011
  We are customers of Ferson Creek Utilities and strongly protest the proposed 95% rate increase as unreasonable and would result in severe rate shock to its customers. I have read and fully agree with the October 20, 2011 testimony of Michael Brosch, on file for this case. Specific concerns related to unsubstantiated and inflated cost estimates must be replaced by audited historic costs, properly categorized within GAAP standards. Ferson Creek has a right to competitive rates, based on justified and reasonable cost of operations. We ask the ICC to hold Ferson Creek Utilities to these standards, protect its Illinois residents from unsubstantiated charges and reduce future rates accordingly.
  11-0565 · Rick and Nancy Kasper
• October 25, 2011
  How can we possibly afford a 95% rate increase with this economy? This is completely unfair. A slight increase I understand, but this is ridiculous.
  11-0565 · Cassandra Johnson
• October 25, 2011
  I am upset at the 95% rate hike that ferson utilities wants to impose and I ask that you consider a much smaller hike like 25-40% at this time . thank you
  11-0565 · susan schubert and alfred schubert
• October 25, 2011
  I read recently that the above Utilities Company is applying for a rate increase of 95 %.
  
  Under the current economic conditions an increase of this magnitude is ridiculous.
  
  The company maintains that it has had no increases in its rate since 1984. If this is the case why were previous application for an increase not made. If applications were made and, for whatever reasons, were rejected is it appropriate to now apply for this huge increase?
  
  I think not.
  11-0565 · Joe Renwick
• October 20, 2011
  They are asking for a 95% rate increase, or on the average 48 dollars per month per resident. That is outrageous and no increase even close to that should be allowed. I suggest a maximum increase of 10%.
  11-0565 · Charles Engel
• October 20, 2011
  While I certainly understand the need for periodic increases in rates, I am having a hard time in understanding why the rates were not increased several times since 1984 instead of 95% all at once. It will be a hardship for many of us on a fixed income.
  
  I also wonder why a one person household pays as much as a 4 or 5 member household.
  11-0565 · Susan Nelson
• October 20, 2011
  We strongly object to the proposed increase of our yearly water-sewer fee by $580, or slightly less than a 100% increase, in these recessionary times, without any apparent regard to the affect such an increase will have on us retired people living on fixed incomes.
  11-0565 · Greg and Carol Claricoates
• October 12, 2011
  I feel that the 95% rate increase is too much for the current economy. I wonder if it is common for utility companies to not pass along rate increases until a time that the request would just about double the fees – most businesses cannot operate successfully that way. I currently average about $44 monthly to Ferson Creek Utilities Company for water and sewer, and another $26 monthly to rent an iron filter to get rid of the rust in that water. The rate increase requested will bring my total monthly cost to over $110, which to me seems excessive for water and sewer for one individual.
  11-0565 · Jane Hankison
Entries: 22