After the MFRs are filed with the PSC, a time clock begins. The PSC has 60 days to officially suspend, deny, or approve the utilitys requested rates. Generally, the requested rates are suspended because further investigation is needed. During that time, the PSC may authorize an interim rate increase if the MFRs indicate that the utility is earning less than its last authorized rate of return on investment. This interim rate is subject to refund at the conclusion of the case.

The utility is required to place a copy of the MFRs and a summary of the rate request at its local business office and at the county library or local community center. Thirty days after the PSC establishes a case time schedule, the utility must notify customers of the rate increase request, and list the present and proposed rates, the case time schedule, and the summary and MFR locations.

The PSCs professional staff review and analyze the utilitys submitted data, audit its accounting and billing records, and carefully review its financial operations. Engineering staff study the utilitys physical facilities, conduct onsite plant investigations, and review its compliance with local, state, and federal environmental agency rules.

Two or more PSC Commissioners are assigned to the case and make the final decision. One Commissioner is designated the Prehearing Officer and will issue a procedural order that sets a prehearing conference in Tallahassee. During the conference, all parties discuss the orders dates for filing testimony and develop case issues. A formal evidentiary hearing is held in or close to the utility service area approximately five months into the rate case.

The Office of Public Counsel is authorized by statute to represent consumers in cases before the PSC. Consumer input, such as quality of service, management responsiveness, and the utilitys operation and rate structure, are helpful in determining fair and reasonable rates and play an integral part in the PSC's final decision.

Customer testimony is usually heard the morning of the evidentiary hearing, with an evening session also held to accommodate all customer schedules. The hearing is recorded and a transcript is prepared by a court reporter. Each party prepares a brief, and the Commission staff prepares a recommendation based on the evidence presented at the hearing. The panel of Commissioners will vote on each issue at a Commission Conference in Tallahassee. A final order is then prepared based on the Commissioners' vote. The PSCs final decision can be appealed to the First District Court of Appeal and ultimately to the Florida Supreme Court.

The entire process for a standard rate case usually takes eight months.

After the customer meeting and staff investigations have been completed, the staff prepares a recommendation for consideration by the full Commission at a Commission Conference in Tallahassee.

Since the case has not been to hearing, affected parties are allowed to address the Commission at the Conference when the case is being considered.

The Commission will then vote to adopt, reject, or modify the staffs recommendation. Then, a PAA order is prepared and issued. The order becomes final if a substantially affected person does not protest it within 21 days.

The PAA process takes approximately five months. If the case is protested, it will be scheduled for a hearing, and a final decision will be made within eight months of the protest date.

For this reason, the PSC developed a staff-assisted rate case (SARC) program which allows small water or wastewater utilities with annual revenues under $275,000 to request PSC staff assistance in developing its rate case. For utilities that provide both water and wastewater service, revenues must be under $550,000 to request a SARC. SARCs avoid passing rate case costs on to the customer.

PSC engineers and accountants audit the utilitys books and investigate onsite operations. A customer meeting is held in the companys service area to allow customer testimony on its quality of service and the rates under consideration. After considering the customers testimony, the investigation, and audit findings, a recommendation is prepared and scheduled for a Commission Conference.

Since the case has not been to hearing, affected parties are allowed to address the Commission at the Conference when the case is being considered. The Commission will then vote to adopt, reject, or modify the staff's recommendation. Then, a PAA order is prepared and issued. The order becomes final if a substantially affected person, other than the utility, does not protest it within 21 days.

If the case is protested, it will then be scheduled for hearing. The Commission will usually authorize the PAA order rates subject to refund, until the case is concluded. The Commission has 15 months from the official filing date to issue its order.