Council adopts 40% hike to public safety surcharge, effective June 6

The Talent City Council on Wednesday approved the second reading of an ordinance amending Town Municipal Code Title 8 (Health and Public Safety) to set a public safety surcharge at $5.66 per unit per month, up from $4.00.

City staff explained the council had previously discussed the increase and staff returned with the ordinance for a second reading. Staff said the effective date was set for June 6 to allow the higher surcharge to appear on the July utility bill.

Councilor Perry Miller (commenting during discussion) thanked staff for tying the increase to council goals and asked about communications; staff responded the increase would be shared on the utility bill and in the June TNR publication and on the city website. When asked for the arithmetic on the record, staff confirmed "an increase of a dollar 66, which is approximately 40%." The council approved the ordinance on a roll‑call vote.

Nut graf: The ordinance raises the monthly per‑unit public safety surcharge by $1.66 to fund public safety-related costs. The council set a June 6 effective date so the change will be visible to utility customers on the July billing cycle.

Background and next steps: The change was presented as a policy choice arrived at in prior discussion; staff will carry out public notifications via utility bills, the June TNR publication and the city website. No additional appropriation was made at the meeting; the vote authorized the ordinance amendment.

Ending: The ordinance passed unanimously by roll call; staff said they will implement billing changes to reflect the new rate in July.