City of Rehoboth Beach Utility Rates Working Group

The City held a town hall meeting on Saturday, January 5, to discuss a proposal by Sussex County for operating the Rehoboth wastewater facility. The City is faced with rate increases to pay for the ocean outfall project and future upgrades to the system. We heard from concerned citizens that felt the County proposal was not equitable. Based on the feedback we listened to, Mayor Paul Kuhns formed a working group comprised of property owners, City staff and consultants. The purpose of the group is to determine a new rate structure for the City to potentially utilize for the April 2019 billing period.

Determining a rate structure that is fair and equitable to all is the key role of the working group. Direct input and participation of the group is a critical component for the creation of a successful rate structure. The working group’s purpose is to help ensure a process that is technically sound, enjoys broad public and expert support, and results in the creation of a sustainability strategy for the City that can guide community and City efforts for the years to come. The City is moving forward with the Attorney General’s recommendation on February 11 that the working group complies with open meeting requirements in the future. The next working group meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 20, at 1 p.m. For the complete meeting agenda please visit cityofrehoboth.civicweb.net/portal.  If you are unable to attend the meetings, please contact the Communications Department to share your ideas and concerns at 302-227-6181 ext. 522 or [email protected].