Culver Town Council looking to increase water rate for first time since 2015

CULVER, Ind . -- The Culver Town Council is considering a proposal to increase the water rate for the first time since 2015. The council will be hosting a public hearing during the next city council meeting on July 24.
Proposed rate changes for the entire utility bill including water, sewer, trash and storm water are shown below.
“Increasing rates is not something the council takes lightly,” said Culver Town Council President Bill Cleavenger.
“We know many of our residents are on fixed incomes and will feel the impact of any increase. However, we are committed to responsibly providing safe, reliable water service to our community.”
Culver has an outstanding water bond issued in 2015 that mandates the utility maintains a minimum reserve of $525,521. At the end of 2024, the reserve had $498,749.
Additionally, Culver’s average annual water income for the past five years has been $543,576, slightly lower than the expense costs which averaged at $544,255 and are expected to rise.
Beyond operational costs, the Environmental Protection Agency has mandated that all lead services lines be replaced. Culver identified 180, or 10% of all service lines, as lead that need to be replaced.
The proposal follows an updated study by the consulting firm Baker Tilly, commissioned by the council to evaluate Culver’s current water and sewer rates.
The study was originally completed in 2021 but changes were delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, the study was updated but no changes were made.
Earlier this year, another update to the study was made. Findings from the update indicated that a water rate increase is necessary but an increase for the sewer rates is not recommended, according to Baker Tilly.
The council meeting will take place at 6:30 p.m. on July 24