AWWA ACE65461

This powerpoint presentation begins by providing statistics on the historical trend of Aurora's water rate increases, and then goes on to present problems encountered when utilities raise water rates and strategies for dealing with the public on these issues, including: managing expectations; winning over the water board; explaining rate increases to utility staff; public meetings and hearings; the importance of timing; communicating the rate increase to customers; using percentages to show an increase in water supply and a decrease in water rates; pitfalls of comparing utility rate structures; dealing with economic development; and, communicating with the media.