By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Surging prices could bring an increase in water rates to Decatur customers in the near future.
At its latest meeting, the city’s board of works and safety approved a request by Clerk-Treasurer (and former water department director) Kevin Hackman to have a rate study done by Crowe LLP, a consulting firm which has four offices in Indiana, including one in Fort Wayne.
Rates were hiked in 2018 and 2020 due to the construction of two new water plants, but a rate study has not been done since 2016, Hackman said.
Prices are continuing to rise, Hackman pointed out. As an example, two chemicals used by the water department cost around $210,000 in 2020. The price of the two is now in the vicinity of $405,000.
“Prices for pipe, everything is going up,” he added.
In addition, the city lost its second largest user, Deans Foods/Driggs, a few years ago, and the revenue from it.
Crowe will do the rate study for $16,000 to $18,000, and it will take six or so weeks to complete.
“We really need to do this,” Mayor Dan Rickord said.
