Auburn municipal utilities director outlines budget, recommends small rate increases and highlights biosolids, lead-service work

Director of Municipal Utilities Seth Jensen presented the municipal utilities department's proposed fiscal 2026 operating and capital budgets to the Auburn City Council on Thursday, April 17, outlining water, sewer and power funds, near-term projects and staffing risks.

Jensen told the council that "Our primary function at this point is to manage our water fund, sewer fund, and power utility fund." He recommended a modest, phased approach to rates: "A 2% small increase in our water and sewer rate, each year over the next 5 years," to stabilize revenue and protect fund balances.

Why it matters: municipal utilities supply drinking water and sewer service directly to city residents and to multiple wholesale customers in Cayuga County, and decisions about rates and capital projects affect both household bills and the utilities' ability to maintain aging infrastructure.

Jensen said the water fund treats about 4'4.5 million gallons per day on average, has nine water-treatment employees…