The Caroline County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance to amend Chapter 93 of the county code, increasing water and sewer rates and related fees across a multiyear schedule. The board adopted a 5% increase to base fees, usage, administrative and capital asset fees effective Sept. 1, 2025, with additional annual 5% increases to take effect each July 1 through 2029 as presented in the staff rate study.

County staff and the consultant Davenport and Company told the board the increases are intended to keep utility fund revenues aligned with rising operating costs and capital needs. The ordinance also raised availability fees (water availability from $5,500 to $8,000; sewer availability from $6,000 to $8,500), increased meter fees and some administrative charges, and added a previously omitted irrigation meter size.

A notable change was a septage disposal fee increase from $36.75 per thousand gallons to $116 per thousand. Utilities staff explained the increase was driven by two items: the county’s prior practice of hauling septage to Spotsylvania County at a reduced rate (a pathway that is no longer available) and a shift in hauling expense that had previously been paid from the solid‑waste budget back into the utility fund; the county now faces higher tipping fees (about $80/ton) and higher hauling costs for septage disposal.

Staff noted that the septage fee is billed to commercial septage haulers (the companies that pump private septic systems) rather than billed directly to county water or sewer customers. Board members sought clarification during the hearing about who pays which fees and the timing. The first 5% increases take effect Sept. 1, 2025; subsequent annual 5% increases were scheduled for July 1 of each following year through 2029, as included in the adopted ordinance.

Support for the increase was voiced by the Fredericksburg Area Builders Association (FABA) and the Regional Housing Assembly, which said updated rates and predictable infrastructure funding are prerequisites to attracting housing and commercial development.

Why this matters: the fee changes will raise homeowners’ monthly water/sewer bills modestly (staff estimated a few dollars per month for a typical residential customer) while increasing connection availability fees for new development; septage haulers will face a significant per‑load cost increase that may be passed to affected homeowners in rural areas who rely on septic pumping.

What the board did: the supervisors adopted the ordinance as presented. Staff will implement the new schedule and return on future budget and capital matters as required.