City Council confirms no rate increase for sewer and stormwater utilities

During the recent Finance Committee meeting on May 1, 2025, the City of Portland announced significant financial news regarding its sewer and stormwater utilities: there will be no rate increases for residents this year. This decision comes as a result of the Portland Water District returning a portion of funds that were previously assessed, allowing the city to maintain stable rates for essential services.

Director Murray highlighted the careful budget management by the Public Works team, which has identified savings opportunities without compromising service quality. The sewer utility fund, which relies heavily on assessments from the Water District, will see a slight increase in fund balance due to these returned funds. This adjustment is expected to support ongoing operations without imposing additional costs on residents.

Similarly, the stormwater utility fund will also maintain its current rates, attributed to slower-than-anticipated progress on capital projects and a decrease in debt service costs. The committee noted that while larger projects have been completed, the pace of medium-sized projects has slowed, contributing to the stability in the budget.

Overall, the meeting underscored the city's commitment to fiscal responsibility and effective management of public utilities, ensuring that residents can continue to access vital services without facing increased financial burdens. The Finance Committee expressed gratitude for the diligent work of the Public Works team and emphasized the importance of ongoing monitoring of capital expenditures and service contracts to maintain this positive trend.