BATESVILLE – City residents could see an increase in sewer rates by the end of the year. Officials are considering a 6.5 percent hike over a two-year span.
Board of Works members debated how much they would recommend to City Council Monday night before the decision was made to ask for an increase that would not exceed 8 percent.
Their recommendation involved a maximum 5 percent increase the first year and a 3 percent increase the second year.
Later in the evening, City Council members voted on a lesser increase of 5 percent the first year and a 1.5 percent gain the following.
The sewer rate increase is not official unless passed in a second reading in September. If approved, residents could see a 5 percent jump in sewer rates as early as October or November.
The proposed increase comes after a rate review study where Jennifer Wilson, CPA at Crowe Horwath, recommended different increases up to15 percent that would allow the city to pursue large capital projects.
The rate increase of 6.5 percent over two years would allow the city to raise revenue to build funds for larger projects in the future and possibly undertake smaller projects from funds in hand.
A 6.5 percent increase translates to approximately an additional $2.33 per month for the average Batesville household. Based on data provided by Crowe Horwath, the increase would keep the city’s average monthly sewer bills below several nearby towns, including Milan, Sunman, Dillsboro and Osgood.
