Scottsburg water utility customers could see a slight increase in their monthly water bills next year if the city council grants their approval next month.
According to Leslie Bixler, utility officer manager, the average customer uses about 3,000 gallons of water a month. “With this proposed 3% increase, they can expect to pay just over a dollar more per month beginning in January 2022,” she said.
She added that the last water rate increase in early 2019 took a 30% jump. “That significant increase was because the utility had no rate increase since 2009,” she said. “We are hoping to be more proactive with smaller, annual increases” to make consumers’ monthly water bills more palatable.
She explained that the rate proposal calls for a 3% increase each January for the next five years.
“A small increase each year, rather than a substantial increase after several years, seems to be the best option for our customers and the utility,” said the utility manager. “And small annual increases allows the utility to combat operating costs as they increase over time and plan accordingly for infrastructure maintenance and repairs.”
The Scottsburg City Council will hold a public hearing on the matter at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 13.
A legal notice showing the complete water rate proposal is found on page 3 of print issue of the Crothersville Times and in the Public Notices section of this online edition.