1983-07-20 Public Hearings and Regular Meeting

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• TMLTEXAS MUNICIPAL LEAGUE 1020 Southwest Tower Austin, Texas 78701 (512) 478-6601 • July 5, 1983 TO: ALL CITIES SERVED BY SOUTHWESTERN BELL RE: (1) 1983 Rate Increase Request (2) "Access" Charge Case (3) Appeal of 1982 Rate Case On June 24, 1983, Southwestern Bell filed for another rate increase with the Public Utility Commission. The Company has asked for a massive $1.7 billion per annum increase (an increase of approximately 76.36%). The company is, once more, asking to put the bulk of its rate increase on local exchange customers, both business and residential. Local exchange service, both business and local, would be increased by a total amount of $1,147.4 million per annum. One party residential rates would be increased $19.60 per month. Business rates would be increased from $10.25 per month in Houston to $15.65 per month in the smallest exchanges. The hearing date in the case has not been set but is expected to last 6 to 8 weeks. The 1982 case required a similar amount of time and the issues are much more complex in this case. Also, the PUC has set several regional hearings to hear ratepayer comments. Those hearings are to be held on the following dates: July 6 Houston July 7 Corpus Christi July 8 Brownsville July 8 Austin July 11 Dallas July 15 Lubbock July 16 E1 Paso Representatives of several cities met in Austin on June 21, 1983 to discuss what collective action, if any, should be taken by cities in connection with the above rate request. The unanimous opinion of all concerned was that cities should present a consolidated case before the PUC. To coordinate the cities' efforts a Steering Committee was selected composed of those names on the attached list. Tom James, Director of Consumer Services of Dallas will serve as