New Jersey Administrative Code
Title 7 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 11 - NEW JERSEY WATER SUPPLY AUTHORITY
Subchapter 4 - SCHEDULE OF RATES, CHARGES AND DEBT SERVICE ASSESSMENTS FOR THE SALE OF WATER FROM THE MANASQUAN RESERVOIR WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
Section 7:11-4.18 - Procedures for rate adjustments

1. Provide notice and an explanation outlining the need for the proposed rate adjustment to all purchasers; the Department of the Treasury, Division of the Ratepayer Advocate; the Board of Public Utilities and other interested persons at least six months prior to the proposed effective date. This notice and explanation shall be deemed to be part of the record of the proceedings.

2. Provide supporting documents and financial records of the Authority, at the Authority's cost, in support of the proposed adjustment to all purchasers; the Department of the Treasury, Division of the Ratepayer Advocate; the Board of Public Utilities and other interested persons upon request, and make such documents and records available for review at the Authority's offices in Clinton, New Jersey at the time notice of the proposed amendment to the rates is given. These supporting documents and financial records shall be deemed to be part of the record of the proceedings for purposes of preparing the hearing officer's report required under (a)9 below;

3. Afford purchasers, the Department of the Treasury, Division of the Ratepayer Advocate and the Board of Public Utilities and other interested persons the opportunity to submit written questions and requests for additional data prior to the time of the meeting required under (a)4 below. The Authority staff shall provide written answers to the questions and supply the additional data requested prior to the meeting;

4. Schedule a meeting with the purchasers, the Department of the Treasury, Division of the Ratepayer Advocate and the Board of Public Utilities and other interested persons within 45 days after sending them notice of the proposed amendments to the rate schedule regarding the proposed amendments:

5. Hold a public hearing on the proposed rate adjustment. One or more members of the Authority will serve as the hearing officer. The public hearing agenda shall include, but not be limited to:

6. Attempt to answer all questions raised at the public hearing. In the event that a response cannot be immediately given at the public hearing, then a written response shall be prepared within 10 working days after the public hearing, and a copy of that written response will be provided to all contractual water purchasers, the Department of the Treasury, Division of the Ratepayer Advocate, Board of Public Utilities and attendees at the hearing and made a part of the hearing record;

7. Permit, within 10 working days after receipt of the answer, contractual water purchasers, the Department of the Treasury, Division of the Ratepayer Advocate, the Board of Public Utilities and attendees to respond in writing to the answers of the staff for the record;

8. Hold the public comment period open for at least 25 working days after the public hearing in order to allow additional written comments to be submitted; and

9. After the public comment period is closed, require a hearing officer's report, which shall include findings of fact and specific responses to all issues and questions raised during the public hearing proceedings, to be prepared and submitted to the Authority prior to the Authority taking final action on the proposal.