THE PROPOSAL FOR ASCENSION PARISH

Ascension Sewer has developed a comprehensive proposal which will be presented as a Construction and Operating Agreement between Ascension Consolidated Utility District #2 (ACUD #2) and Ascension Sewer which offers the Parish the ability to retain ownership and ultimate control of the existing and new sewer system as a public asset - this is not a sale or privatization. As a public utility, the Parish would also retain oversight of performance and rate-making authority. Ascension Sewer would receive revenues from system operations over a 30-year timeframe.

Ascension Sewer would be responsible for all operating expenses and capital investment, and would execute the plan for the first phase for building the connections to a new water treatment plant located near the Mississippi River in the northwest portion of the Parish at a cost of more than $200 million, providing coverage to nearly 19,000 customers and significantly reducing flows into Bayou Manchac. This means that residents won’t have to front the capital with public funds or vote on a bond to make these required and needed system improvements.

The comprehensive plan, which optimizes the efforts of prior plans and was developed at our own expense, provides as much coverage as possible to citizens in a manner that stabilizes future rate increases. The final plan will include a detailed cost and rate structure, as well as wastewater treatment plant and system construction plans.