Council adopts five‑year water and sewer rate increases in ordinance 2025‑46

The Melbourne City Council on Sept. 11 adopted ordinance 2025‑46, amending Chapter 58 of the City Code to implement forecasted water and sewer rate increases for the next five years that staff said are required by the recent utility rate study.

City utilities staff presented the ordinance and reiterated that the proposed increases are intended to fund regulatory obligations, capital projects and the utility capital plan. Finance and utilities staff said they had reviewed assumptions in the study in response to council feedback and plan to undertake another rate study during the five‑year period to “right‑size” increases if circumstances change.

During discussion some council members acknowledged the burden of rate increases on residents but said the city has limited options to meet regulatory and capital requirements. Staff noted that future actions such as updated impact fees could shift some costs to new development and potentially affect future rate decisions.

The motion to approve ordinance 2025‑46 was made, seconded and passed by voice vote with all council members recorded as “aye.”