BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — A water utility providing service to approximately 2,500 residential customers in Monroe County is petitioning for a price hike of nearly 40%. Van Buren Water Inc. is asking the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission to approve a rate increase that would see customers' bills jump by more than one-third of their normal cost. The proposed new rate for customers using 4,000 gallons a month would increase from $31.60 to $43.86, according to the filing. This is a rate increase of 38.8%. Van Buren Water cited higher operating and maintenance costs are the reasoning behind the price hike along with the utility needing money for infrastructure repairs. The current rates for Van Buren customers were set by the IURC in 2015. Customers wanting to weigh in on the proposed rate increase can attend a public hearing at the Monroe Convention Center (302 South College Avenue) in the Olcott Young Room on April 2. The hearing begins at 6 p.m. Written comments can also be submitted online by visiting the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor's website here. Comments can also be mailed to the following address: Public CommentsIndiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC)115 W. Washington St., Suite 1500 SOUTHIndianapolis, IN 46204 The state agency will make its recommendation on the rate increase on April 14. ...read more read less