Key Messages -Citizens Water of Lawrence

• Acquisition facts:
  • Agreement establishes Citizens Water of Lawrence, a non-profit corporation that will place the water and sewer assets of the City of Lawrence in a public charitable trust so as to manage the assets for the benefit of the citizens of Lawrence. The public charitable trust will forever protect the utility from private acquisition and political control.
  • Upon acceptance of the assets, Citizens Water of Lawrence will pay the City of Lawrence $51.3 million. Citizens Water of Lawrence also will acquire operating assets and real estate owned by the operator, Lawrence Utilities, for $7.6 million.
  • Completion of these transactions will resolve all legal actions related to the City of Lawrence 's contract with Lawrence Utilities.
  • Acquisition is subject to approval by the Lawrence Common Council.
  • Acquisition should be completed by March 30, 2007.
• Agreement will reduce rates 20 percent – Citizens Water of Lawrence will reduce rates 20 percent because of its non-profit structure and economies of scale provided by being part of a larger organization. This rate reduction amounts to $3 million or approximately $200 per year in savings to every Lawrence ratepayer. Future rate increases, which are not expected in the near future, would be based on providing service at cost.
• Citizens Water of Lawrence will be Accountable to the Public – The trust will be governed by the Board of Directors of Citizens Gas & Coke Utility, which is comprised of Marion County citizens. The Board of Directors is appointed by the Citizens Gas & Coke Utility Board of Trustees, which is self appointed. Citizens Water of Lawrence will be regulated by the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. Just as is does now, the Citizens Board of Directors will continually seek input from all stakeholders of the utility – customers, public officials in Lawrence, and community groups.
• Citizens Water of Lawrence will provide short- and long-term benefits – Besides the immediate rate relief, Citizens Water of Lawrence will make the necessary long-term investments to maintain the safety and viability of the Lawrence water and sewer assets.
• Citizens Gas has a reputation for outstanding customer service - Citizens Gas & Coke Utility has a proven track record for providing outstanding utility services to the people of Marion County for more than 100 years. In fact, Citizens Gas has been among the top utilities for customer satisfaction in the Midwest for the past four years in an independent survey by the prestigious J.D. Power & Associates.
• Smooth transition expected - Lawrence customers will once again be provided a full-service bill payment center at the Lawrence Government Center, where they will be able to pay their water, sewer and gas bills. They also will be able to pay these bills at more than 60 locations throughout Marion County including three locations in Lawrence : Ace Cash Express stores at 7025 Pendleton Pike and 8027 Pendleton Pike; and Marsh Supermarket at 5104 N. Franklin Road. The Citizens Gas drive-through payment facility at 2020 N. Meridian Street also will accept Lawrence water payments. In addition, customers will be able to pay their water bills by mail and eventually online at www.citizensgas.com.

back to 2006 News Releases