COLUMBUS, Ind. — Columbus City Council has approved a water rate increase.
The council approved the ordinance on second reading Tuesday. Next, the rate petition will be filed with the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. If the commission approves the rate increase, it could take effect around August 2021.
Columbus City Utilities executive director Scott Dompke said at a recent board meeting that the rate increase is a necessity for Columbus. “The water utility must be a sustainable, viable financial entity to be able to do the things that it does to support this community,” he said.
In most cases where the state commission approves an increase, the rate hike is less than what is originally requested. Dompke said that if the IURC approves an amended rate increase, city council will have to vote to adopt the revised rate ordinance.
If the proposed increase is approved in its entirety, Dompke said Columbus would still be paying less than the average Indiana water bill of $28.89 per month for 4,000 gallons.
Right now, Columbus residents who use 4,000 gallons pay $9.82 per month. Under phase one, they would pay $14.06 per month. Under phase two, they would pay $16.44 per month. And in phase three, they would pay $17.49 per month.
At this time, it’s anticipated the first phase of the rate case will go into effect on Aug. 1, 2021. The next phase would begin Jan. 1, 2023 and the third phase would kick in on Jan. 1, 2024, Dompke said.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
