Citizens Energy Group issued a letter to freeholders throughout the Ben Davis Conservancy District. The district was established in 1958 with the Indiana Conservancy Act to provide sewer service to our community. However, the conservancy only pipes sewage from properties to a treatment plant owned and operated by Citizens Energy Group.
In recent years, Citizens Energy Group has raised its rates higher. So when the conservancy announced that it would build a treatment plant to save money, Citizens responded with a $10 million buyout––amounting to a few thousand dollars for property owners.
According to the conservancy, the offer is too low and would cost residents more throughout the years––particularly elderly residents with fixed incomes and low-wage families. The conservancy is not without evidence for its case. For example, when Citizens bought the sewer system in Westfield, it attempted to raise rates by 25%.
Residents of our community are apprehensive. They are concerned that a utility acquisition is not in the best interest of our community––with increasing monthly fees and declining customer service.
Meanwhile, the Ben Davis Conservancy District advocates for a treatment plant, promising to control costs. The proposed state of the art facility is no odor and noise and will add acres of green space and landscaping to Tibbs Avenue.
We want your feedback. Click this link and participate in our poll about the treatment plant.
