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Tipton utility consultant proposes higher water, wastewater bills; board previews 2026 action
Summary
A consultant told the Tipton Utility Service Board that average residential water bills could rise to about $26 per month and wastewater bills to roughly $52 (or about $59.57 if the city issues a $5 million bond). The board approved routine business and will consider formal action to forward recommendations to city council in early 2026.
The Tipton Utility Service Board on Nov. 17 heard a rate‑study presentation from consultant Gibson Brandon of Cronan/Cron Associates that recommends increasing the average residential water bill from about $20.50 to approximately $26 for 4,000 gallons and boosting wastewater rates to about $52 per 4,000 gallons — rising toward $59.57 if the city issues a $5 million wastewater bond.
Brandon told the board the study uses recent financial data (2019–mid‑2025) and said the water utility’s depreciation fund was about $428,000 in June while the wastewater depreciation balance was roughly $27,000, levels he described as limited for future capital needs. "We're proposing $26 for 4,000 gallons would be the average bill that it comes out to," Brandon said, adding the increase helps build depreciation funding and avoid larger borrowing later.
The consultant presented two wastewater scenarios: a proposed rate (about $52.02 for 4,000 gallons) and a bond…
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