JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – JEA is considering a rate adjustment.
For some, if approved, their water and sewer bills could go up and for others, it could go down.
The cost of running your water and waste could drop if you live in the city’s inner core, closest to downtown.
Amber Tuller used to live in 32207, it’s one of several ZIP codes that could see a rate drop for some residents.
“I know when I lived over here it was a little pricey and that was a few years ago before I had the baby and everything,” Tuller said.
Some of her friends are not happy with their utility bills.
“I know a lot of the families that are still in this community and they are paying some of the same rates if not a little bit higher than some of the newer developments and they’ve been here for 10, 20, 30 years, and for them it’s a little less fair,” Tuller said.
If the JEA board agrees on the rate drop it could happen by April.
The proposed rate change would happen for a couple of ZIP codes: 32202, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09 and 32254 would be included.
About 900 to 1,000 customers would benefit from the rate drop.
The homes that would be affected are multifamily with two to four families. Apartment complexes are not included.
Karen McAllister, a Public Information Officer with JEA, said it would reduce their bill by about 27%.
News4JAX asked why this was being considered and how it would reduce their bill.
“For multi-family customers who live in duplexes, we found that the consumption of water, electricity, (etc.), was very similar to a residential customer and so it made sense to change that classification,” McAllister said.
These duplexes are different based on pipe size and the power needed to move the water through that leads to determining the rates.
A $95.08 bill could drop to $74.34 by April for a 6 kGal usage.
“I think folks would be really happy with that, especially in this day in age when you’re paying the expenses for everybody,” Tuller said.
According to a statement from McAllister: “Our analysis shows that 7.6 percent of JEA customers would see no impact or a reduction in their combined utility bill if the proposed rate adjustments are approved. The remaining customers would see an incremental increase.
Note: These estimates are based on calendar year 2024 usage (electric, water and sewer) by our customers. Customers’ consumption habits may change in the year ahead. Also, the proposed rate changes are subject to change based on the board’s direction."