At a public statement hearing on May 11, Water Authority of Western Nassau County staff proposed an annual Operating Plan which produced an annual revenue requirement of $9.6 million, down from the prior fiscal year level of $11.4 million. The proposed reduction in revenues will produce a rate decrease of 16 percent from rates currently charged customers.

These proposed rates reflect the complete elimination of the remaining $1.4 million of property taxes previously included in water rates charged customers. With this proposed rate change the Water Authority will have introduced three consecutive water rate decreases of 11.30 percent, 22.19 percent and 16.00 percent. The average annual residential bill will change from $451 per year last charged by Jamaica Water Supply Company to $261 per year effective June 1. The proposal will also decrease the quarterly minimum charge from $43 per customer last charged by Jamaica Water Supply Company to $25 per customer charged by the Water Authority.