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Board reaffirms 2025 wastewater treatment rate after public question about rising charges
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Summary
On April 15, 2026, the Board of Sanitary Commissioners reaffirmed a Delaware County Regional Wastewater District 2025 rate of $3.19 per 100 cubic feet after a public commenter questioned ongoing increases in utility bills; the board also approved minutes and claims totaling $1,382,116.16 and received an operations update about road closures for CSO work.
The Board of Sanitary Commissioners on April 15, 2026, voted to reaffirm the Delaware County Regional Wastewater District 2025 contract rate of $3.19 per 100 cubic feet for metered waste sent to the Muncie Sanitary District for treatment.
A public commenter, Rick Hanson, identifying himself as a newsman and author, opened the meeting’s public-comment period by asking the board to explain “why we have continual increases in utility rates,” and saying customers received little or no notice about large increases. “I hope you explained today why we have continual increases in utility rates,” Hanson said.
Chair responded that the rate under consideration simply restates the billed contract rate and is calculated from actual district expenditures in 2024 that produced the 2025 charge. “Those are calculated just based on our expenditures from the previous year,” the Chair said. The board then approved the reaffirmation by voice vote with no opposition.
The board also approved minutes from its April 1 meeting and a register of claims totaling $1,382,116.16 by voice vote. The acting district administrator reported there is still no permanent district administrator and provided operational updates: High Street will remain closed for ongoing work, Franklin and Weiser remain open for combined-sewer-overflow (CSO) work performed by Bowen, and Memorial Street will be closed next week with signage between Walnut and Madison/Macedonia; MSD Facebook will post phased-closure notices.
Commissioner Overton praised a recent meeting with department heads as productive for ideas to improve rates and practices. Commissioner Matthew Smith encouraged department heads to solicit staff feedback to continue building a culture of continuous improvement and improved service.
Votes at a glance — Minutes: April 1, 2026 minutes approved by voice vote. Claims: Register of claims totaling $1,382,116.16 approved by voice vote. Rate reaffirmation: Reaffirmation of Delaware County Regional Wastewater District 2025 contract rate ($3.19 per 100 cubic feet) approved by voice vote. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned; next scheduled meeting April 29, 2026.
The board did not provide additional rate notifications or a customer-notice plan during the meeting; questions about future customer communications and long-term rate projections were not resolved on the record.
