Newport Utilities Approves Changes To Water & Wastewater Extension Policies

The Board of Directors at Newport Utilities held their monthly meeting yesterday morning at the utility. Some of what was on the agenda were the policies concerning water and wastewater hookups for residential and commercial customers. That policy in effect since April of 2012 saw Newport Utilities contribute $1000 to the extension of new customers water or wastewater lines…and financing a customer’s costs of up to $3600 for 10 years at no interest…the board approved a motion yesterday to exclude those provisions in the new policy

The board also approved changes in their policy regarding developers and water/wastewater extensions…developers will now have to pay engineering costs where the utility had chipped in $2500…the developer will continue to pay all construction costs, but now must also pay for a Newport Utilities inspector at a cost of $65 an hour.

There was also an update given on NU Connect subscriber data. There are currently 3,346 customers of NU Connect, and there are 1,996 customers on the waiting list at this time.

An audit from Rodefer Moss & Co. showed that the utility has seen measurable improvement in its financial position and financial controls. The next meeting of the board will be on Monday June 21st at 10:30am.