DUBOIS: As residents react to higher water and sewer bills, DuBois City Manager Benjamin D. Kafferlin has issued a detailed public statement explaining the new rate structure, the financial obligations behind it, and the long-term infrastructure needs driving the changes.

The statement, released February 12^th, acknowledges frustration among residents and businesses.

“The City of DuBois recognizes that changes in water and sewer bills are personal and stressful for households and businesses,” the release begins. “Many residents have raised fair questions about what has changed, why it has changed, and how the City will ensure this system is reliable and sustainable into the future. We hear you — and we want to respond clearly and respectfully.”

What Changed?

The City has established monthly “Debt Service” charges effective immediately:

• $15 per month for water
• $20 per month for sewer

Updated usage rates are now:

• Water: $16 per 1,000 gallons
• Wastewater: $22 per 1,000 gallons

The release notes that water usage rates reflect “no change from the prior Sandy Township usage rate” but represent an increase from the former City rate of $10.50 per 1,000 gallons. Wastewater rates have increased from the City’s previous $19 rate and Sandy Township’s $18.50 rate.

The City explained that prior fee structures have now been standardized.

“These fees have been standardized and renamed ‘Debt Service’ on all water and sewer bills. Different structures, same underlying purpose: supporting safe, compliant, reliable utility service.”

Why Now?

Kafferlin said decades of deferred investment have left the system at risk.

“For too long, major capital items have been deferred — repairs and upgrades that a utility system cannot postpone forever without consequences. Deferring these investments has placed the overall system at risk. That is not an acceptable long-term path for our community.”

He outlined two “unavoidable realities”:

• The water system requires significant long-overdue investment, including treatment plant and reservoir improvements.
• The new wastewater treatment plant — described as an approximately $88 million project — is entering service and carries substantial required debt service.

“While this is a major step forward for long-term compliance and capacity, the related debt service is significant and must be paid.”

Consolidation And Equalization

Following the consolidation of former township and city systems, management had to create a unified rate structure accounting for past debt and future capital needs.

“As part of consolidation, the City also had to raise overall rates and equalize them so that customers across the community are treated consistently under a unified system and rate schedule.”

Are Bills Correct?

City officials say they have conducted quality checks and confirm that bills reflect approved rates.

“We have run quality checks, and the bills reflect the approved rates and charges. If your bill includes the updated base charges and usage rates outlined above, it aligns with the changes described in this release.”

However, staff are reportedly overwhelmed with calls.

“Our utility staff are currently inundated with phone calls, and the phone system is being overwhelmed.”

Residents are encouraged to review the posted rate breakdown before calling, and to reserve phone inquiries for urgent issues such as shutoffs, leaks, or account-specific problems.

A Request For Civility

The statement closes with a personal appeal from the City Manager.

“Please treat our utility employees with respect. Our staff did not make these policy decisions, and they do not control the underlying mandates or debt obligations tied to the wastewater project.”“We understand that people are upset, but being disrespectful to frontline employees is not helpful and does not solve the problem.”

Kafferlin concluded by emphasizing that reliable water and sewer service is essential and that long-term investment, though difficult, is necessary to ensure public health, regulatory compliance, and financial stability.

“As a community, we will get through this by staying focused on facts, treating each other respectfully, and making the investments required to secure the system for the future.”