City faces water rate hike after years of stagnation

In a recent government meeting, officials addressed the rising costs of water services, highlighting a significant increase in water bills and usage due to unforeseen circumstances, including water main breaks and a rate hike from Akron that was not communicated prior to the 2024 budget completion. As a result, the municipality is seeking to increase its water appropriation, having already exceeded last year's expenditures by October.

The council acknowledged that water rates have remained unchanged since 2012, prompting plans for a comprehensive rate analysis in early 2025. This analysis will evaluate both water and sewer rates simultaneously, as the latter has seen substantial increases over the years. Officials noted that while sewer rates have been a pressing concern, the water fund has managed to sustain itself, allowing for the delay in raising water rates.

A new initiative to identify potential underground leaks was also discussed, with a leak detection specialist set to inspect all water lines. This move comes in response to unexplained spikes in water usage, which have raised concerns among council members.

Questions were raised regarding the basis for sewer rate increases, which are tied to inflation and infrastructure costs. While there has been no communication from Akron regarding potential water rate increases for 2025, officials anticipate that such changes may be forthcoming.

The council aims to mitigate the impact of any future rate increases on residents, emphasizing the importance of a phased approach to avoid the shock experienced with recent sewer rate hikes. A new software tool will assist in analyzing data to inform future decisions on water and sewer rates.