How "Civil" Is Sheffield Utilities?

A Sheffield reader writes:

Leave it to Sheffield Utilities to deliver their latest utility bills on Christmas Eve, complete with their traditional '$100 December mark up'.

Our utility bill is $124 HIGHER than last month. Our home insulation EXCEEDS the recommended 'R factor' for this region. Even our garage door is new and is insulated. Our HVAC system is only 5 years old and gets checked 2x/yr. Our windows and exterior doors are new 'energy efficient' type, and our thermostat stays set on 65° during winter. Arrrrggggg!

So how does Sheffield Utilities compare with Florence? Check out their rates below:

Sheffield 

Florence

Two interesting points we noticed while reading up on Sheffield Utilities and its counterpart across the river:

1. Florence rates are higher in the winter. A transition rate and a winter rate are listed on the rate page. We can see having to purchase extra power at a higher rate during extremely cold winters, but not every winter. There must be another variable to this formula. Any utility rate experts out there?

2. Six years ago, Sheffield had a management shake up. At that time, not only did Steve Hargrove take over the position of department manager, the "civil manager" was reassigned to the wastewater department. What is a civil manager? Was he a civil engineer? If so, it would seem the former department manager wasn't the only one stabbed in the back. Sheffield Utilities must be one heckuva place to work.