JOPLIN, Mo. — The City of Joplin will get involved in the recent rate increase filed by Missouri American Water with the Public Service Commission (PSC). The PSC is the governing body that determines utility rates and pricing for customers in Missouri.
The rate proposed is a 32 percent increase. This follows closely on the heals of an approximate 63 percent increase granted by the Public Service Commission last year. If granted it would mean that residents in Joplin will experience an increase of approximately 115 percent within a 12-month period. “This rate increase would be an ill-timed burden for the citizens in Joplin to bear,” said City Manager Mark Rohr. “The price of gasoline continues to rise, causing costs of many other daily necessities, such as food and medicine to escalate. The citizens are reaching deep into their pockets now to make ends meet. A rate increase in water pricing would be detrimental to many households.”
City intervention in this rate case will result in the City becoming a participant in the case, allowing city staff to provide input into the case as the process unfolds.
