NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEAUFORT-JASPER WATER AND SEWER AUTHORITY FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 OPERATING BUDGET Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2026, at the office of Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority located at 6 Snake Road, Okatie, South Carolina. The purpose of the public hearing will be to allow members of the public to express their views regarding the proposed operating budget for Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. All persons who attend the public hearing will be given an opportunity to speak. Copies of the proposed budget are available at the Authority’s office. Copies are also available from the Authority’s website at www.bjwsa.org. As required by Section 6-1-80, Code of Laws South Carolina, 1976, as amended, the public is advised of the following: 1. The budget of Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority for the current fiscal year calls for revenues of $149,282,000 and expenses of $102,676,600. 2. The proposed budget of Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 calls for total projected revenues of $153,848,000, operating expenses of $99,085,000 and non-operating expenses of $9,607,000.These amounts include non-operating revenue, capacity fees, contributed capital, depreciation and interest expense. Annual Capital Improvement Program Spending, which is included in the Capital Budget, is not included. 3. The proposed operating revenues for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 operating budget of Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority show a 9% increase in operating revenues compared to the current fiscal year operating budget. The proposed operating expenses for the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 show a 4% increase compared to the current fiscal year operating budget. 4. Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority has propo sed changes to its schedule of ancillary fees and charges effective July 1, 2026. Customer water and sewer rates are proposed to be increased effective July 1, 2026. The average residential water and sewer customer (7kg) is projected to receive an i ncrease of $8.56 on their total monthly bill. Effective January 1, 2027, Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority has prop osed to implement a new tiered residential water usage rate structure. The average residential water and sewer customer (7kg) is projected to receive a decrease of $1.17 on their total monthly bill. A complete schedule of the proposed new rates effect ive July 1, 2026 and January 1, 2027 is included in the budget on our website. 5. Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority does not levy ad valorem property taxes. The Authority relies on user charges to meet its operational needs. Beaufort-Jasper Water & Sewer Authority Rates Effective Effective WATER July 1, 2026 January 1, 2027 Commercial Irrigation Basic Facilities Charge - Minimum $19.24 $19.24 Usage per thousand gallons $7.06 $7.06 Commercial Water Basic Facilities Charge - Minimum $19.24 $19.24 Usage per thousand gallons $5.32 $5.35 Residential Irrigation Basic Facilities Charge - Minimum $13.58 $14.00 Usage per thousand gallons $7.06 $7.06 Residential Water Basic Facilities Charge - Minimum $13.58 Usage per thousand gallons $5.32 Basic Facilities Charge - Minimum $14.00 Usage charge per 1,000 gallons: Tier 1 - First 1,000 gallons $3.55 Tier 2 - 1,000 to 10,000 gallons $5.35 Tier 3 - Greater than 10,000 gallons $7.06 Effective Effective SEWER July 1, 2026 January 1, 2027 Commercial Basic Facilities Charge - Minimum $24.44 $24.44 Usage per thousand gallons $11.46 $11.46 Residential Basic Facilities Charge - Minimum $19.81 $19.81 Usage per thousand gallons $8.50 $8.50 Maximum per month $104.81 $104.81