The St. Johns County Utility Department utilizes a tiered billing system with the base rate for 0-5,000 gallons being $3.14 per 1,000 gallons. The highest billing tier has a rate of $9.60 per 1,000 gallons for 20,000+ gallons. In addition to the utility department charging more than 3 times the base rate for larger consumption, it utilizes two separate rating tiers with one being for Ponte Vedra and another for the rest of the county. The base rate for 0-5,000 gallons is$1.47 per 1,000 gallons for Ponte Vedra. The highest billing tier has a rate of $5.24 per 1,000 gallons for 20,000+ gallons for Ponte Vedra. The St. Johns County Utility Commissioner has responded to recent requests bringing these issues to light and believes that the current billing tiers are acceptable and that they are meant to encourage water consumption. Homeowners that have the need for additional consumption for property irrigation and outside usage are being penalized by the utility for higher consumption. This results in financial harm to such residents who's only recourse it to spend additional money to install a shallow well for irrigation. St. Johns County needs to hear the voice of residents to let them know that billing for all parts of the county should follow one standardized rate. In addition, residents should not pay more for water than it costs for the utility to provide that commodity. A flat billing rate per 1,000 gallons regardless of consumption should be the goal of the county and the utility.