Madison County hears first reading of water-meter fee to fund 911 services

MADISON COUNTY, Ky. — At its Oct. 14 meeting, the Madison County Fiscal Court took the first reading of an ordinance that would restructure funding for the county’s emergency communications center by imposing a monthly water‑meter fee on accounts in unincorporated areas.

The ordinance, presented by Jill (county staff), would repeal the existing $3.50-per-month landline fee effective Dec. 31, 2025, and establish a new schedule assessed to active water meters beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Under the ordinance text presented, the county would assess the fee at three levels: a $3.50 monthly noncommercial rate, $12.50 for commercial accounts and $25 for industrial or large commercial accounts; the ordinance summary sets an overall “$9.011” per-meter collection mechanism that utilities would collect and remit to the county.

Why it matters: Court members said the existing landline fee is increasingly unsustainable because landline subscriptions have declined, and the proposed water‑meter fee is intended to create a more reliable, equitable revenue stream to fund 911 operations.

Details presented and debate

Jill read ordinance language outlining definitions (noncommercial, commercial and industrial classifications), fee amounts, automatic adjustments and collection responsibilities. The ordinance says each water district, association or utility operating in unincorporated Madison County would collect the fee from customers; those utilities may retain an administrative fee to offset collection costs under a separate memorandum of understanding. The ordinance states: “The water meter fee shall be first assessed beginning 01/01/2026.”

Court members asked for revenue estimates and how collection costs would be handled. Jill said the county modeled expected revenue earlier in the work session and that the prototype model is unchanged, but the industrial category and reallocation of rates were adjusted after consultation with utility partners. She said collection costs are “figured in the financial model” and would come out of amounts generated by the fee.

Judge Reagan Taylor (Madison County judge executive) emphasized the ordinance applies only to unincorporated areas, noting that the City of Richmond and the City of Berea will continue to set rates inside their city limits. The judge also said some residents in unincorporated parts receive water service from municipal utilities that will act as the collector for the fee but remit the funds to the appropriate jurisdiction.

Public comment and next steps

The court took the measure as a first reading and acknowledged the ordinance; it did not vote to adopt it. Dr. Miyake (magistrate) asked that public comment be reserved for the second reading. The judge said a draft copy of the ordinance will be posted on the county website and that the second reading will occur at the court’s next meeting on Oct. 28, 2025.

The court also noted the ordinance relies on state statutory authority cited in the ordinance (KRS 65.760 and KRS 67.083) to implement local fees for emergency services.