Whether you have a Georgia City Service or are simply a consumer, it is important to know what your rights are when it comes to rate changes. The Georgia Public Service Commission has a process for filing rate change requests. If you are a consumer, you can file a rate change request in either the Utilities or Administrative divisions of the Commission. Rates will go into effect 165 to 180 days after you file the request. If you are not satisfied with the decision made by the Commission, you may appeal the decision to the Fulton County Superior Court. Appeals must be filed within 30 days of the final order.

Administrative division

Among the various services offered by the Georgia Department of Administrative Services is fleet support, surplus property transactions, risk management, enterprise human resources, and purchasing. The Department is dedicated to meeting the needs of Georgia’s government entities and consumers. It strives to provide the highest level of customer service in a fast-paced state government environment.

The Administrative Division is the day-to-day operation unit of the agency. It is responsible for ensuring that the agency operates within its annual budget. The Administrative Division also coordinates with other departments and internal departments. The Administrative Division is responsible for personnel and payroll management, budgeting, and specification writing. It also handles internal support functions for the Commission.

The Georgia Public Service Commission is the state agency responsible for protecting the interests of consumers when setting rates for utilities and landline telecommunications services. The Commission follows legal standards in setting rates. The Commission’s staff is trained in resolving disputes between utility companies.

Utilities division

Probably the largest and most comprehensive municipal utility provider in the state, the department has an impressive list of accolades to its name. For the uninitiated, the department’s 84 employees straddle the line between public servant and private contractor. They are responsible for maintaining water treatment plants, meters, and sewer mains. The department’s top-shelf customer service is second to none. Amongst other services, the department also handles trash pickup and recycling.

There are a few things the department has in common with other municipalities such as Gwinnett County. For starters, the department’s lone mayor is a former Georgia governor, and he has a few tricks up his sleeve. For the most part, the department is an all hands on deck operation. Although the department does not receive a salary, it does enjoy the benefits of a generous employee benefits package. As a result, the department is in a constant state of flux.

Rates go into effect 165 to 180 days after the initial filing of the rate change request

During this time, the utility must attempt to negotiate with the customer to come to an agreement on payment of arrearages or reconnection. If the customer is unwilling or unable to pay, the utility may suspend service. However, it is not authorized to disconnect or terminate service to low-income households, disabled customers, or customers with a medical condition.

The Commission has a set of guidelines it uses to evaluate a rate change request. Among other things, it studies the utility’s petition and asks for additional information. It may also hold a pre-hearing conference and issue a scheduling order. It can also request copies of records for the customer. Those records may be available for a fee or may be waived for an individual.

The PIA (Public Interest Advocacy) Staff makes an independent recommendation for the rates. This recommendation is based on a review of the facts and may or may not include the PIA’s own spin on the case.

Appeal the Commission’s decision to the Fulton County Superior Court within 30 days after the final order

Upon receiving the decision of the Fulton County Utility Commission, the utility may file an appeal to the Fulton County Superior Court within 30 days. The utility may also file a motion for reconsideration with the Fulton County Superior Court within ten days. The motion and any filings should be served on the attorney for the opposing party, the Attorney General, and the District Attorney.

The court will also issue a certificate of probable cause to appeal for those cases where the lower court decision is based on a criminal conviction or where there is arguable merit. In these cases, the court may transfer the case to the Court of Appeals.

The appellate court must decide whether the lower court decision was based on errors in law, fact, or both. If the decision is based on errors, then a successful appeal will require showing that the errors were not corrected.