By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Decatur water customers are going to see an increase in rates with their next bill, followed by a rise in sewage rates the first of the year.
With expenses overwhelming revenues in both departments, city council on Tuesday approved two-step increases in each, the water rate becoming effective immediately and the other hikes at the start of 2025 ane 2026.
The approvals, each by a 5-0 vote, followed a pair of public hearings.
Jennifer Wilson and Jenessa Carter, Crowe LLC reps who studied the city’s water and sewer finances, had issued their findings at a council meeting last month. They were on hand again Tuesday to reiterate what they had discovered.
Wilson, who handled the water study, said that by 2022 the city was no longer bringing in enough revenue to cover expenses, a portion of which cover debt service. So she recommended the immediate rate boost of 28%, followed by a 12% rise in January of 2026.
For the average water customer, that would mean an increase of $12.42 per month, followed by a hike of $6.83 to start 2026, she pointed out. Which would translate to a combined $19.25 more a month.
Customers outside the city but using city water would see boosts of $10 and then $5.58 in January of 2026
Carter’s sewage study called for a 10% increase beginning the first of the year, followed by a 14% boost in January of 2026.
That would bring for the average sewage customer in Decatur a rise of $4.68 followed by $7.12, a total of $11.80.
Those numbers would be $7.02 and $10.79, a total of $17.81, for customers outside the city’s boundaries.
Carter’s sewage study recommended a 10% increase starting in 2025, then 14% in January of 2026.
That would bring for the average sewage customer in Decatur a rise of $4.68 followed by $7.12, a total of $11.80.
Those numbers would be $7.02 and $10.79, a total of $17.81, for customers outside the city’s boundaries.
Both women underscored the fact that many Indiana cities are dealing with rate hikes due to soaring expenses.
The increases will be Decatur’s first in eight or nine years.
LARGE CROWD: A crowd of some 25 or so people turned out for the public hearing, with only three speaking out.
Most of those on hand apparently reside outside Decatur but send their sewage to the city and thought there were going to be hit with the 10% and 14% hikes.
The city, however, charges the regional sewer district only 23%, so those residents will be charged just 10% and 14% of that 23%, much smaller increases.
Only three people spoke during the public hearing for the sewage hike and were informed that they should seek answers from the regional sewer district.
“We will reach out to them; that’s interesting. Thank you,” said Craig Engle.
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