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Ellettsville council raises renter sewer deposit to $150
Summary
On Feb. 9, 2026, the Ellettsville Town Council approved Ordinance 26‑02 on second reading to raise the sewer deposit for renters from $100 to $150, citing staff recommendations and legal limits tied to a three‑month estimated average bill.
Ellettsville — The Town Council voted Feb. 9 to raise the sewer deposit for renters from $100 to $150, approving Ordinance 26‑02 on its second reading after a lengthy discussion about collection practices and legal limits.
Council members and staff said the change is intended to reduce unpaid sewer-bill write‑offs and the administrative burden of pursuing delinquent accounts. "The deposit may not exceed the estimated average payment due from the property for a 3 month period," said Speaker 11, citing the town's billing and collection guidance. Staff presented a recommendation that ranged between $1.50 and $1.75 for sewer deposits before council settled on $1.50.
Speakers emphasized that state guidance constrains how high deposits can be set and that many unpaid sewer balances are resolved by requiring property owners to make good on debts before a new tenant moves in. Speaker 8, a utilities staff member, said raising the deposit "helps our staff" and reduces confrontation with landlords and tenants when people skip out on bills.
Council members discussed affordability concerns for new renters, noting that deposits add to first‑month, last‑month and other move‑in costs. Several councilmembers and members of the public said landlords already maintain deposits and that the town typically contacts landlords before escalating collection actions.
The ordinance passed on roll call: Scott Odom (yes), Dan Swafford (yes), William Ellis (no), Trevor Sager (yes) and Pamela Samuels (yes). The motion to adopt Ordinance 26‑02 was made by Speaker 6 and seconded (see town minutes for mover/second attribution). The ordinance takes effect according to the town's standard effective-date procedures for fee changes.
The council did not change the recently raised water deposit; staff noted the town's minimum in‑town bill is roughly $57.16 and recommended numbers intended to approximate a three‑month liability so the town can recoup typical arrears without exceeding statutory limits.
