Piqua City Commission will consider three proposed utility rate adjustments at upcoming public meetings, with the first reading scheduled for Tuesday, April 7. The meeting begins at 5 p.m. at the Municipal Government Complex, 201 W. Water St.
The proposals include tiered adjustments to electric, water and wastewater rates based on findings from a recent cost-of-service and rate study conducted for the City by Sawvel & Associates and concurrent City review.
The study evaluated operational needs, capital investment requirements and financial policies — including Commission-approved reserve targets — to determine whether current rates are fair, equitable and aligned with the actual cost of providing service. As part of its regular financial oversight, the City also reviews enterprise fund performance, cash reserves and rate structures to ensure long-term system reliability and affordability.
After reviewing the proposed rate adjustments, the Energy & Utility Board — a citizen board that advises the City Commission on how Piqua’s municipal power and utility systems are operated, managed and maintained — unanimously recommended approval of the changes.
Electric rates
The proposed electric rate adjustment includes changes to both the residential kilowatt-hour (kWh) rate and the fixed customer charge. For a typical household using 750 kWh per month, the estimated monthly impact over a four-year adjustment period would be approximately $7 in 2026, $6 in 2027, $2 in 2028 and $1 in 2029. Electric base rates were last adjusted in 2015, and rising costs over the past decade now require updates to maintain system reliability and financial sustainability.
Even after the four-year adjustment period, the City’s residential electric rates will remain significantly lower than current AES Ohio (formerly Dayton Power & Light) rates and below the statewide utility average. Piqua Power System maintains 99.99% reliability and consistently earns the American Public Power Association’s Diamond Level Reliable Public Power Provider designation, standards that require ongoing investment in materials, services and system improvements.
Water and wastewater rates
Through its review process, the City identified opportunities to lower water and wastewater rates, helping offset the proposed electric rate increases and keep overall utility rates affordable.
The City is proposing reductions to water and wastewater rates. Beginning in 2026, the monthly base rate would decrease by $1.23 for water service and $3.80 for wastewater services. Wastewater rates would decrease an additional $1.00 per month in both 2027 and 2028.
For customers who receive all three City-owned utilities — electric, water and wastewater — the combined adjustments are expected to minimize ratepayers’ overall budgetary impact.
Implementation timeline
If approved, new rates would take effect in June 2026, with combined impacts minimized for customers receiving all City-owned utilities.
Background on Piqua utilities
Piqua’s utilities are locally controlled, not-for-profit utilities that invest revenue to support reliable and sustainable service for the community. The Electric, Water and Wastewater funds are structured as enterprise funds. Each operates independently from one another and the General Fund, and each is funded by utility payments for the respective service.
Additional information
For additional information about the rate adjustment proposal, visit piquaoh.gov/utilityrateadjustments.
To learn more about Piqua Power System, visit piquaoh.gov/power.
To learn more about Piqua Utilities Department, visit piquaoh.gov/utilities.
To log into utility bill statements and set up alerts for energy usage, visit piquaoh.gov/smarthub.