Water customers file motion for rate hearing

The Aldine Ratepayers Association has filed a Motion to Intervene on behalf of association members who are directly affected by the water and sewer rate increase sought by Texas American Water Company.
The contested water rate case impacts several local subdivisions including Greenwood Village, Mary Francis, Kenwood, Bertrand, Aldine Meadows and Colonial Hills.
“This is an important step forward in the legal challenge area residents began when they signed petitions in February to force a hearing on the outrageous increase of their water and sewer rates,” said Rep. Kevin Bailey. “We are fortunate to have an excellent attorney representing area residents in the legal challenge they have mounted against a major international utility company.”
Bailey explained that the East Aldine Management District agreed to hire attorney Jim Boyle of Austin to represent area residents in the hearing process.
“I met Jim Boyle years ago when he was the Director of the Office of Public Utility Counsel for the State of Texas,” Bailey said. “Boyle, who is now in private practice, is recognized throughout the state for his knowledge and abilities in public utility and administrative law cases so area residents will be well represented at the hearings.”
Hearing Date Set

A court date has been set in the contested water rate case brought by Aldine Ratepayers Association against Texas American Water. The hearing will be Tuesday, August 7 at 10 a.m. at the State Office of Administrative Hearings located at 2020 North Loop West, Suite 111 in Houston.
The hearing will be held to establish jurisdiction, name parties to the case, establish a procedural schedule for the remainder of the proceedings and to address other matters as determined by the judge.
“The legal challenge was initiated when area residents began a petition drive in February to protest an outrageous increase of their water and sewer rates,” said Bailey. “Neighborhoods across North Houston have since banned together and formed the Aldine Ratepayers Association in preparation for this legal challenge.”
The last time a North Houston neighborhood actively challenged a privately owned water utility, residents had to travel to Austin to attend the hearings but changes in state law now provide for local hearings.
Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this hearing and who need special accommodations should call the State Office of Administrative Hearings Docket Department at 512-475-3445, at least one week prior to the hearing.
Local neighborhoods impacted by the hearing include Greenwood Village, Mary Francis, Kenwood, Bertrand, Aldine Meadows and Colonial Hills.