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Council workshop weighs phased water-rate increases, uses of grant and loan provisions
Summary
At a budget workshop, council staff presented multi-year water-rate scenarios and asked for direction on aligning rate increases with when expenses are incurred; staff recommended a two-year phase-in to meet Water Development Board covenant requirements while limiting immediate revenue impacts.
City of Atlanta council members and staff reviewed proposed FY 2025–26 budget scenarios Wednesday, focusing on water-rate changes, loan and grant timing and options to protect the city’s debt-service covenant with the Water Development Board.
Council staff member Finley opened the discussion by distinguishing budget decisions from rate-setting: “your budget often reflects or assumes what some rate changes will do, but it doesn't but it's 2 separate actions,” and said staff’s preference was to “align rate increases when the expenses are incurred or anticipated.”
The discussion centered on a scenario (referred to as scenario 6) that phases a planned rate increase over two years rather than implementing the full increase in a single year. Staff financial analysis presented by Kara showed that the two-year scenario would reduce near-term revenue and put projected water program revenues about $235,000…
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