Council reacted positively to the presentation of a new comprehensive study by Edward Donahue and Eric Callocchia of the Municpal and Financial Services Group designed to help the Town insure that its rates for water and sewer services are "stable" and managed in a way that "fully recovers the costs of providing services" and "appropriately allocates costs to customers."

The fiscal year 2013 budget calls for the Town to spend nearly $305,000 to provide water and some $366,000 to provide sewer services.

Major capital investments are recommended for the water system between 2014 and 2018, the bulk of it for replacing 2 and 4 inch water lines in Ridgeview, replacing old cast iron lines in Washington Street. Capital improvements for the sewer system are projected at between $40,000 and $45,000 per year.

Large increases in demand for both water and sewer services are anticipated for fiscal year 2014, when the new Salamander Inn and Spa is "projected to come on-line."

The report recommended little or no changes in the average water rates, but a shift in cost to heavier users. The recommended minimum charge for consumers using 3,000 gallons or less per quarter is $46.76. Nearly two-thirds of use and some 80% of water bill revenue is projected to come from customers who use between 3,000 and 30,000 gallons per quarter, at a rate of $11.91. A third of water use and almost 5% of revenue is projected to come from heavy users, in excess of 30,000 gallons of purified water per quarter.

Sewer rates, the report suggest, should rise steadily over the next four years, from a $38.13 minimum charge per quarter in FY 2013 to $48,55 in FY 2017.

Rates for heavier users inside Middleburg, over 2,000 gallons per quarter, should rise from $12.45 to $15.85 over the same period. The rates for sewer usage in homes outside of Middleburg, over 2,000 gallons per quarter, should rise from $12.45 to $15.85 over the same period. The rates for sewer usage outside of Middleburg is projected to rise from $13.10 to $16.90.