Oskaloosa Water Rates Set To Climb

The Oskaloosa Water Board on February 16, 2016.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – The Oskaloosa Water Department has been an organization that has been evolving over the past two years, with the department now being the agency staffing the Oskaloosa Waste Water Department.

Oath of office for newly appointed board member Jason Carter was administered at the beginning of the meeting. Carter is the fifth board member, after the board was expanded from three members to five.

The board then voted on Resolution #1601, this resolution was approved and will increase the water rate by 25%. This increase will become effective on March 1st, 2016.

Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department General Manager Chad Coon shared a statement released by the Board about the increase:

“The rate increase is due to aging infrastructure that needs to be addressed through numerous projects over the next several years for the well-being of our community. The Board entertained several options, and after careful review of the budget, and over the long term, this is actually the most cost effective way to serve the needs of our citizens. Rather than borrow excessive amounts of funds, it was decided a large increase up-front would make it possible for smaller increases in the future, and save Oskaloosa citizens interest and other costs related to debt financing. Unfortunately, it is a step that is necessary to continue to ensure that we can provide safe, reliable drinking water to the citizens of Oskaloosa for many years to come.”