Gloucester County board approves immediate water and sewer rate increases after public hearing

The Gloucester County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt an ordinance on March 2025 to raise water and sewer rates, beginning with a 14% increase per tier that staff said would take effect May 1, 2025.

The rate change passed after a public hearing and extended public comment in which staff, consultants and several residents outlined urgent capital and operating shortfalls in the county utility system. “The intent of these rate changes is to address all of the operational costs as well as the capital plan,” Utilities Director (presenter) said, adding that the department projects its reserve will be largely depleted by the end of fiscal 2025.

The vote follows a months-long review by county staff and consultants and public outreach. Miss Maria Callaway (presenting staff) summarized the proposed schedule and the expected monthly impacts: under the proposal, most residential customers would see increases in the single‑digits to mid‑teens dollars per month, and staff presented modeled subsequent increases for four more years (13%, 11%, 10%, then 8% annually) as part of a 5‑ to 10‑year plan to address roughly $30 million in priority capital needs over five years and an estimated $66 million of identified needs over 10 years.

Why the board acted at this meeting

Staff told the board the reserve that cushions the utilities fund was nearly exhausted and that the system requires immediate work on pump stations, force mains and aging pipe. Miss Callaway said the proposed increases were intended to cover next year’s operations and to begin restoring a reserve and borrowing capacity so the county can proceed with scheduled capital projects.

Public comment and responses

At the public hearing and during the comment period, several residents urged a different rate structure or broader funding sources. Nathan Brown (Wade District) argued for a larger fixed monthly charge and for spreading costs more evenly among users: “You’ve got to charge these people more… We should be doing the same thing” as nearby jurisdictions that use flat sewer charges, he said. Another frequent commenter, Kenny Hogg Sr., pressed the board to address long‑standing maintenance deficits and warned that the current increase is only “a drop in the bucket” compared with the system’s needs.

Multiple residents said they support fixing the system even if it requires higher customer charges. “I support the rate increase proposal for FY26, but I realize this is not even a drop in the bucket compared to what is actually needed by the utilities,” a speaker identified in the record said.

Board debate and vote

Supervisors discussed alternatives including using one‑time general‑fund transfers, setting aside fund balance, or phasing increases over additional years. Several supervisors said the county must balance the burden between utility customers and the broader tax base; others warned that delaying increases would push off needed work and risk larger failures.

At roll call, recorded votes in the public transcript showed multiple supervisors voting in favor and one recorded dissent. The motion passed and staff said the increases would be implemented on the May 1 billing cycle if the fiscal‑year budget process proceeds to authorize related borrowing and appropriation steps.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance amending Chapter 19 (water and sewer rates): motion adopted after public hearing. Recorded board positions included several “yes” votes and at least one “no.” (See actions array for board roll details.)

What happens next

Staff said the first year’s increase is intended to stabilize operations; subsequent planned increases and potential bond borrowings would be considered in future budget cycles. Staff and the county’s financial adviser also told the board they plan to pursue a mix of borrowings and pay‑as‑you‑go work to start critical repairs.

Ending

Supervisors and staff said they will return during the FY‑26 budget process and in future meetings with more detailed cash‑flow and project schedules. Several residents asked the board to consider a broader funding mechanism so the entire county shares the costs of utilities that serve public institutions and businesses as well as private users.