To keep up with the cost of providing the service, the town of Crothersville is seeking ‘break even’ rate increases in the town’s water and sewer rates.
The water rates are proposed to increase 3/4 of a percent a year for the next five years while the wastewater rates are proposed to increase 2.75% a year for the same time period.
A public hearing on both rate ordinances will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, at town hall. A complete breakdown of proposed charges is found on page 5 of the Times print edition and in the Public Notices section of the newspaper’s online edition at www.crothersvilletimes.com.
Currently, residential customers of the town water utility pay $20.84 minimum charge and $8.35 per 1,000 gallons of water consumed. Those rates would go to $21.05 and $8.43, respectively.
Wastewater rates for sewage treatment is based on the utility customer’s water consumption. The town sewer rate is proposed to raise to $7.81 per 1,000 gallons of water consumed.
“These increases are just at a break even point for water and sewer treatment costs and maintenance,” said town attorney Jeff Lorenzo.
The town hired rate consultants Therber Brock & Associates of Carmel, Indiana to conduct the rate studies.
At their regular council meeting on March 5, the council voted 5-0 to approve first reading of the ordinance and rate increases. Following a public hearing, if the town council approves a second reading of the rate increases, they would be felt with utility customers’ bills in June.
