January 2026 Why the Village of Dousman Utility Bills Increased: Water Full Rate Case Increase • Water Utilities are overseen and regulated by the Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) • The PSC regulates water utilities to make sure they maintain the infrastructure necessary to maintain safe drinking water for residents. • Rate increases must be requested to the PSC • Municipalities are required to demonstrate and justify to the PSC the necessity of a rate increase, which must be approved by the PSC • This rate increase is attributed to rising infrastructure investments and escalating operating expenses • The last Full Rate Case occurred in 2015 • This rate increase provides the water utility with only a modest rate of return of 4.9% • The water rates in the Village of Dousman remain among the lowest in the area 2. New Charge Named “HYDRANT SERVICE” • A hydrant fee has been added to your water/sewer bill. Previously, there was a hydrant fee included within the property tax roll and this fee was paid to the Water Utility; however, the HYDRANT SERVICE has now been removed from the tax roll/levy limit and established as a separate fee. This change affects all utility customers, whereas tax-exempt properties (Three Pillars, Churches, etc.) were previously exempt from this charge on the tax bill. • The Village is reallocating the Hydrant Rental/Public Fire Protection (PFP) tax levy expense from the tax roll to the customer utility bill to enhance the Village’s revenue for infrastructure requirements. Tax-exempt properties will now also contribute their share of the PFP • The “HYDRANT SERVICE” fee on the Utility Bill is different from the “FIRE DEPT SERVICE” on the Tax Roll as a Special Charge. The HYDRANT SERVICE on the Utility Bill is the water portion of fire protection The FIRE DEPT SERVICE on the Tax Bill is how the Fire Department is funded
