Bogalusa officials warn customers water bills will rise after state-mandated CPI update; meter work nearly finished

City staff told the Bogalusa Finance Committee on July 17 that utility billing work and a state-mandated consumer price index adjustment will push water bills higher beginning in August.

"Water meter installation is approximately 95% complete," Chastity said, describing remaining work mainly at abandoned properties where service will be restored when a customer signs up. She said the city and billing vendor CSA developed new reports to match meter reads to customer accounts and that staff are contacting residents to correct accounts that were not billed.

Staff said the city discovered trash services had been provided without billing, costing the city about $15,000 a month; the committee discussed outreach to affected customers and adjustments to billing to avoid sudden charges.

The committee also discussed a rate study and a state consumer price index (CPI) update. The chair and staff said the CPI figure used for the rate adjustment is 2.7%, and CSA will implement the change beginning in August so utility rates remain current and the city remains eligible for certain grants.

What happens next: staff will finish remaining meter installs, continue billing reconciliations with CSA, implement the state CPI adjustment in August and notify customers of any changes.