Anderson residents concerned over proposed utility rate increases
Anderson is proposing increasing rates that residents pay for its city-owned sewer and electric utilities. In a Tuesday night public hearing, Anderson’s mayor made the case of why the utilities need more money. But as IPR’s Thomas Ouellette reports, Anderson residents are already adjusting to higher rates for the city-owned water utility this year.
Anderson Mayor Thomas Broderick, Jr. says it’s been over 10 years since the city has had to raise sewer or electric rates. He says he wouldn’t be proposing an increase to the city council if it wasn’t absolutely necessary.
“When it’s all said and done, at the end of the day, what we’re saying to you is we’re out of money, we are spending more than we’re taking in in both utilities.”
Broderick is requesting the council approve an 18 percent price increase on sewer rates – costing the average household about $7 more a month. For the electric rate, that’s a suggested 13 percent increase for residential households – or between $12 and $17 a month.
Read More: Lawmakers eye electric bills in effort to address affordability issues
Anderson residents voiced their frustration through the more-than-two-hour meeting.
“Yes, we have to pass this, I agree we are in trouble in this city,” one said. “But I think we need to look at this budget and at what we’re doing and asking other people to sacrifice.”
“Almost everyone in Madison County is one paycheck away from being poor,” another complained.
Residents also expressed concern that a rate increase could have been avoided had funds been allocated differently. Multiple speakers commented on the city’s approval to build a $45 million water park in December.
Broderick says if money isn’t directed towards city utilities, Anderson runs the risk of being forced to sell them to private companies. He says there are several benefits to having city-owned utilities, such as keeping costs down.
If the rate increases are approved by the city council, only the electric proposal will have to go through an approval process from the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission that usually takes several months.
Last November, that state commission approved increases to rates for Anderson’s city-owned water utility. It raised customer bills by more than 20 percent immediately. By 2029, customers will be paying nearly double than in mid-2025.
Thomas Ouellette is our reporter and producer. Contact him at thomas.ouellette@bsu.edu.
