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Alma City commission approves water, wastewater and solid-waste rate changes effective July 1, 2025
Summary
The commission approved changes to utility rate structures: water consumption rates will rise by 40¢ per 1,000 gallons, wastewater ready-to-serve and consumption rates will increase, and the residential solid-waste ready-to-serve charge will rise from $22.71 to $25.00.
The Alma City Commission voted on May 13, 2025, to adopt rate adjustments for water, wastewater and solid-waste services that take effect July 1, 2025.
Water: Staff explained the city will lower water "ready-to-serve" (RTS) charges for some meter sizes while increasing water consumption charges by 40¢ per 1,000 gallons. The consumption rate would move from $5.60 per 1,000 gallons to $6.00 per 1,000 gallons (a 7% increase), with the increase applied across the listed volume tiers in the resolution. Staff said the RTS reductions were made possible in part by drinking-water state revolving loan funds and forgivable grants the city received, which reduced the immediate need to bond for certain projects.
Wastewater: The commission approved an increase in wastewater RTS charges effective July 1, 2025. Staff reported the RTS for meters less than 1 inch would rise from $37.50 to $40.00; consumption rates would increase by 10¢ per 1,000 gallons (from $3.90 to $4.00 per 1,000 gallons). Staff said the change is part of a five-year rate plan to help fund planned wastewater plant improvements and lab renovation and to preserve flexibility for necessary bonded projects.
Solid waste: Commissioners approved raising the residential solid-waste RTS from $22.71 to $25.00 per residence for bills mailed after July 1, 2025. Staff said the increase will pay for trash and recycling collection, large-item pick-up and yard-waste service and to support tree and limb removal performed by city crews.
Public comment and clarifications: During the public-comment period a resident asked whether ready-to-serve charges could be prorated when service is shut off; the resident said they received a bill for roughly $75 covering RTS amounts while service was disconnected and requested consideration of prorating. Staff acknowledged the question and indicated billing rules and the specifics of RTS application would be reviewed and clarified offline. Commissioners and staff also noted that the wastewater lab renovation is the subject of a Community Development Block Grant application; a public hearing on that CDBG application was scheduled for May 27, 2025.
Why it matters: The adopted rate changes alter the monthly fixed charges and per-thousand-gallon rates customers pay for basic water, wastewater and solid-waste services. The adjustments are intended to support capital improvements—particularly at the wastewater plant—and to align revenue with long-term utility needs while lowering some RTS charges for water because of recent low-interest loans and grant funds.
Ending note: Staff said the commission will present detailed rate schedules in the official resolution language and that implementation steps, billing changes and further customer information will be provided before the July 1 effective date.
