City Council approves updated water and sewer rules and new rate change processes

The Findlay Water and Sewer Committee convened on March 19, 2025, to discuss critical updates regarding water and sewer regulations and rate adjustments. The meeting focused on the implications of potential rate changes and the processes for implementing these changes in the future.

A significant topic of discussion was whether the current council could commit to a specific rate increase or decrease for the next five years. Members debated the feasibility of establishing a long-term rate plan, acknowledging that future councils might alter these decisions. The consensus was that while a recommendation could be made for a 2% annual increase over five years, each year would still require a formal vote by the council.

The committee also reviewed the language in the updated water and sewer rules, confirming that minor clerical changes were made for clarity without altering the intent of the regulations. These adjustments included correcting citations and ensuring accurate terminology, such as replacing "city public health department" with "Hancock public health."

In addition to procedural updates, the committee examined the financial impact of recent water rate changes. Members requested data to confirm whether these adjustments had met revenue expectations. The administration provided insights into the anticipated effects on water revenue, which were discussed alongside projections for sewer and stormwater management.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adopt the updated water and sewer rules, which was unanimously approved. The committee emphasized the importance of transparency and accountability in future rate-setting processes, ensuring that residents are informed of any changes that may affect their utility costs. The next steps will involve ongoing evaluations of the financial impacts and further discussions on utility management strategies.