24-01305K

NOTICE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE HEARINGS AND TECHNICAL HEARING
TO CUSTOMERS OF SUNSHINE WATER SERVICES COMPANY
AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS
DOCKET NO. 20240068-WS
APPLICATION FOR INCREASE IN WATER AND WASTEWATER RATES IN CHARLOTTE,
HIGHLANDS, LAKE, LEE, MARION, ORANGE, PASCO, PINELLAS, POLK AND SEMINOLE
COUNTIES BY SUNSHINE WATER SERVICES COMPANY
ISSUED: September 13, 2024
NOTICE is hereby given that the Florida Public Service Commission (“Commission”) will hold virtual
and in-person customer service hearings, and an in-person technical hearing in the above docket on the application for increase in water and wastewater rates in Charlotte, Highlands, Lake, Lee, Marion, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk and Seminole Counties by Sunshine Water Services Company
(“Utility”). The hearings will commence at the times and dates shown below.

COMPANY OVERVIEW - SUNSHINE WATER SERVICES COMPANY
Clean water service delivered to your home is critical to your family and we are happy to have been granted the license to serve your territory.

While we understand this is a challenging time, we are committed to delivering quality service to you, our customer. At this time, we are requesting an increase in rates to enable us to continue delivering safe, clean water to you.

We have filed a request (Docket No. 20240068-WS) with the Florida Public Service Commission (Commission) requesting a future increase in our water and wastewater rates that would likely take effect in mid-2025.

If approved as filed, the rate increase will vary by customer depending upon usage. We expect typical
residential customers with monthly consumption of 5,000 gallons to see an increase of about $5.43 on water and $10.05 on wastewater on their monthly bills.

The Utility has invested significantly in infrastructure, technology, customer service, and operations
to ensure safety and reliability. However, since that time, the combination of necessary infrastructure
investment, cost of construction, evolving customer expectations, advances in technology, changes in
regulations, and increased operations requirements now causes us to seek rate relief.

CUSTOMER SERVICE HEARING - PURPOSE AND PROCEDURE
The purpose of the customer service hearings is to give customers and other interested persons an opportunity to offer comments regarding the quality of service the utility provides and the proposed
rate increase. All witnesses shall be subject to cross examination at the conclusion of their testimony.

This Commission has scheduled both in-person and virtual customer service hearings. Commissioners will attend and participate during the service hearings.

Following are the Commission's scheduled virtual customer service hearings and instructions for speaker registration:
October 8, 2024 at 11:00 am
October 10, 2024 at 2:00 pm

Customers may register to speak at the virtual service hearings in one of the following ways: (1) register using the FPSC's online registration form, which will be available at www.FloridaPSC.com, under the “Hot Topics” heading, (2) call the FPSC at (850) 413-7080 or (3) email [email protected]. Online registration for the virtual service hearings will open on September 23, 2024 at 9:00 a.m., and close at noon two business days prior to each customer service hearing.

Please note that the order in which customers will speak is based on the order in which they register. If you have questions about the sign-up process, please call (850) 413-7080.

One day prior to the service hearings customers who signed up to speak at one of the virtual service hearings will be provided further instructions from FPSC staff on how to participate.

Following are the Commission's scheduled in-person customer service hearings and procedures:
October 9, 2024 at 10:00 am
Eustis Community Center
601 Northshore Drive
Eustis, FL 32726
October 9, 2024 at 6:00 pm
Commissioners Chamber
225 Newburyport Avenue
Altamonte Springs, FL 32701
The in-person customer service hearings will commence at the times and locations shown above and will continue until all witnesses have been heard. Members of the public who wish to present testimony can register to speak upon arrival at the venue. All persons who wish to comment are urged to appear promptly at the scheduled customer service hearing times because the hearing may be adjourned early if no witnesses are present to testify, or when those present have testified.

On February 11-13, 2025, the Commission will conduct a technical hearing to allow the Utility and other parties to the proceeding to present testimony and relevant evidence regarding the rate request. To watch either the customer service hearings or the technical hearing live, visit floridapsc.com and look for the “Watch Live Broadcast” icon on the left side of the webpage. If you do not have access to the internet, you may call 1-850-413-7999 to listen to the hearings. If you are hearing or speech impaired, you may contact the Commission by using the Florida Relay Service at 1-800-955-8771 (TDD).

TECHNICAL HEARING - PURPOSE AND PROCEDURE
The purpose of the technical hearing is to consider the application of Sunshine Water Services Company for an increase in water and wastewater rates in Charlotte, Highlands, Lake, Lee, Marion, Orange, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, and Seminole Counties and any motions or other matters that may be pending at the time of the hearing. The Commission may rule on any such motions from the bench or may take the matters under advisement. At the hearing, all parties shall be given the opportunity to present testimony and other evidence on the issues that are identified at the Prehearing Conference to be held on January 23, 2025. All witnesses shall be subject to cross-examination at the conclusion of their testimony.

JURISDICTION
Jurisdiction over this Utility is vested in the Commission by Chapter 367, Florida Statutes. Authority
to approve increased rates is governed by Sections 367.081, 367.082, 367.0816, 367.101, and 367.171,
Florida Statutes. The provisions of Chapters 25-9, 25-22, 25-30, and 28-106, Florida Administrative
Code, are also applicable.

RESOURCES
Any person requiring some accommodation at this hearing because of a physical impairment should
call the Office of Commission Clerk at (850) 413-6770, at least 48 hours prior to the hearing. Any person who is hearing or speech impaired should contact the Florida Public Service Commission by
using the Florida Relay Service, which can be reached at 1-800-955-8771 (TDD).

An overview of the rate request is available at floridapsc.com/Publications/RateCaseOverviews and copies of the complete filing are available by calling the Commission at 1-840-413-7080 or by searching online at www.floridapsc.com

If you would like to share your comments with the Commission regarding the proposed changes in rates, please choose one of the following options:
1) Participate in any of the customer hearings, as described above;
2) Email the Commission at [email protected] (please include reference to Docket No.
20240068-WS);
3) Write to the Commission at the following address (please include reference to Docket No.
20240068-WS):
Office of the Commission Clerk
2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850
4) Complete and mail a preaddressed comment card included with this notice.

To submit comments regarding your utility service, please contact the Commission's Office of Consumer Assistance and Outreach by calling 1-800-342-3552 or by mail:

Office of Consumer Assistance and Outreach
2540 Shumard Oak Boulevard
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0850

Amber Norris, is the Commission representative for this docket and can be reached by emailing [email protected] or calling 1-850-413-6984.

At any time during this process, you may contact the Office of Public Counsel (OPC). The OPC was established by the Florida Legislature to represent you and the other utility consumers before the PSC. The Public Counsel is independent from the PSC and can be reached at 1-800-342-0222 or floridaopc.gov.

September 13, 2024 24-01305K