Committee member flags rising debt service, billing and salary costs in rate discussion

A committee member reviewing James Fork’s most recent audit noted several cost increases that factor into the rate-study recommendation: billing services rose sharply in three years, chemical purchasing was up, and debt service had increased materially. "Your revenue water metered sales was up 9.5% in 25 over '24," the committee member said while noting that billing services grew by about 196% over three years (to roughly $69,000 in the latest statements).

Piles acknowledged higher salary and staffing costs since he took over operations and said the utility expanded its workforce and rebuilt distribution infrastructure, which contributed to higher debt service. He mentioned a roughly $1.614 million principal-and-interest debt-service figure for 2025 that represented a substantial share of total revenue. Commissioners asked for further detail and copies of the audit and rate-study documents so they could reconcile operational drivers with proposed changes.