5 days ago
Brazil residents can soon expect a nearly 50% water rate increase
BRAZIL, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Brazil residents can soon expect an increase in their water bill as City Council recently approved a 48% water rate increase at the last public hearing at Brazil City Hall.
Mayor Brian Wyndham says this has been a conversation even before the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent months, the imposed water rate increase had a main topic at multiple public hearings.
This decision was not taken lightly and wasn't made overnight. An increase hasn't happened in the City of Brazil since 2016.
'With progress comes costs,' said Brazil Mayor Brian Wyndham. 'The one thing about this that is different from a lot of things, the increase cost of your water bill, that money is going right back here in this community.'
The city has done multiple area studies to come up with a percent that is the most reasonable, and what will ultimately help fund the community. The most recent area study being done by Baker Tilly, an outside company study.
'When you're looking at your water bill, you obviously see a total. And with that includes your water, wastewater, the trash service, storm water utility, all of those other entities. I mean they're listed separately but then there's a total,' said Wyndham. 'So, bear in mind, this just effects your water. The study was done on it based on 4,000-gallon usage per month, which seem to be kind of the median where we're at. It's going to increase your bill about $15 to $16 if you fall in that four-thousand-gallon usage.'
The water rate increase will not only affect Brazil residents, but more than 1,000Clay County residents that use the city water. The mayor stated out-of-city limit residents were notified by a letter about the water rate increase.
Looking ahead, the money from the increase will help fund a $13 million dollar project that will replace a raw water line that runs Reelsville into the Brazil Treatment Plant.
The Mayor of Brazil also emphasized the rate increase is based on water usage only and will not impact other utilities. The newest water rate increase will go into effect in July 2025.
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