WATER RATE PROPOSAL INFORMATION – January 21, 2026

For more information, contact us at communications@marionutilities.com or 765-664-2391 ext. 117

In today’s world, information can be shared instantly thanks to a wide range of media platforms available around the clock. Unfortunately, that same speed also makes it easy for misinformation—often unintentional—to spread just as quickly. When topics are complex or involve detailed financial or operational issues, misunderstandings can arise.

Recently, Marion Utilities has spent significant time before the City Council discussing the need for a water rate adjustment. This proposed change would affect only the water portion of your bill and would result in an increase of approximately $4–$8 per month for the vast majority of residential customers. As expected, this has generated a great deal of discussion on social media, along with opportunities for confusion or incomplete information. Additionally, a recent audit found a $49,132 discrepancy caused by syncing issues and duplicate entries between our billing & accounting systems, which added up over 10 years time. No actual money is missing, and the issue will be resolved soon as we move to a single billing/accounting system later this year.

To help residents stay informed and separate fact from fiction, we encourage you to rely on the following trusted sources:

• City Council meetings are recorded and available to the public on YouTube here, allowing you to hear these discussions in their full context.
• All Marion Utilities financial records are public information. As a municipal utility, we are audited annually by the Indiana State Board of Accounts to ensure accuracy, transparency, and fiscal responsibility. These audit reports can be found on the SBOA website here. Search Grant County and City + Utility for the most results, as many of our reports are combined with the city. Here is a link to the summary findings from the most recent audit.
• We are always available to answer questions. If you need clarification or would like more information, please feel free to call us, email us, or stop by our office during normal business hours.

Thank you for taking an active interest in your community and for being a thoughtful and informed consumer.

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RATE INCREASE UPDATE – November 2025

At Marion Utilities, our number one priority is to provide our community with safe, high quality water service at the lowest possible cost. With that in mind, and considering the current economic climate, we are now looking at future rate increases that will be necessary to continue to meet this goal.

Right now we are in Phase II of the 2023 water rate increase, with subsequent phases to be implemented yearly through 2028. There are a few reasons why the 2023 increase was not sufficient: record-setting inflation rates, rising operating costs and aging infrastructure that is now requiring more immediate attention. Additionally, the new rate structure actually reduced water rates for many customers – a good thing for our lowest water consumers.

An acceleration of the phases would provide an increase of about 15.41%, while it is estimated that what we actually need is closer to 44.24% for long term sustainability. We have asked our board and initiated the steps to petition the IURC for a new rate case.

Some additional facts about our rates:

• Based on 2024 data, the newly proposed water rate would still be lower than two-thirds of the state, and is likely to shift further downward by the time of implementation.
• The proposed water rate increase of 44.24% will amount to approximately $6 – $8 per month for most residential customers.
• Our need for a rate increase is completely independent from any economic prospects which may be on the horizon. We have been drawing down our financial reserves for 10 years and have a long way to go to make that up.
• Our priority is and will continue to be providing safe, high-quality water to our community.

We realize that another rate increase is news nobody wants to hear. Marion Utilities values its customers, and we don’t take our community’s faithful support of the local utility lightly. Anyone who has questions or concerns about the rate increase or any other matter is encouraged to contact us at communications@marionutilities.com.