The Wind Point Water Utility currently collects $84,792 annually for Public Fire Protection (PFP), which is an amount established by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission to cover the additional storage, pumping and distribution required to provide high flows and pressures needed to fight fires. Currently, $51,500 (61%) of this amount is paid from Village property taxes and $33,292 (39%) is collected as a direct charge from the quarterly water bill.
The Village Board has approved a request for the PFP charge to be funded 100% by direct charge on the quarterly water bill and 0% by property taxes. If approved by the Public Service Commission, the change would go into effect on January 1, 2019. One reason for this change is to provide a more equitable process for funding PFP, as tax exempt properties currently do not pay into the portion of PFP paid by property taxes. Additionally, the change would reduce the amount of monies needed annually from Village reserves to fund costly infrastructure improvements. As a result of the PFP change, a typical residential home with a 3/4″ water meter that consumes 9,000 gallons of water in a quarter would see their quarterly bill increase from $55.92 to $67.78.
As part of the PFP change process, the Public Service Commission will hold a public hearing on December 18 at 1:30 p.m. at the Village Office. More information about the public hearing and the proposed fee changes are outlined in the public hearing notice (click here).