CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — The Chillicothe City Council is scheduled to vote Monday on an ordinance that would raise water rates by 2%, a modest hike aimed at keeping pace with inflation and operational costs in the southern Ohio city of about 22,000 residents.
The proposed amendment to Chapter 915.08 of the city’s codified ordinances comes after a utilities review committee recommended the increase earlier this year, citing the need to maintain infrastructure and address rising expenses. If approved, the change would take effect later this summer, marking the latest in a series of incremental adjustments to water fees in recent years.
For the average household in Chillicothe, the increase would add less than $1 to monthly bills, depending on usage. City data shows a typical residential customer using about 4,500 gallons per month currently pays around $22 for water service inside city limits, which could rise by roughly 44 cents under the proposal; this does not include sewage or trash collection, which are on the same bill. Higher-usage households or those outside the city could see slightly larger increases, though officials emphasize the rate remains below statewide averages, where monthly water bills for 6,000 gallons often exceed $47.
The adjustment aligns closely with national economic trends, as the U.S. inflation rate stood at 2.4% for the 12 months ending in May, up slightly from 2.3% the prior month. In meetings, local leaders have framed the hike as necessary to offset inflationary pressures on materials, labor, and energy without burdening residents excessively.
Chillicothe, the former state capital located along the Scioto River about 45 miles south of Columbus, has seen similar rate tweaks in the past, including a 2% water increase combined with an 8% sewer hike in 2023. Council members discussed the measure at their June meeting, setting the stage for Monday’s vote. If passed, it would apply to all customers served by the city’s utilities department.
Residents can attend the council meeting at City Hall or view it online via the city’s live streaming. No public opposition has been widely reported, though some community members expressed concerns about cumulative utility costs during earlier committee reviews.