Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utilities Rates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves water and sewer rates for FY2026, 8–1
Summary
The City Council adopted a rate schedule for water and sewer services for fiscal year 2026 after discussion about prior year overages and capital uses. The motion passed 8–1; Councilor Rothenberg cast the lone no vote, citing process and constituent concerns.
Northampton City Council voted 8–1 April 3 to adopt the city’s proposed water and sewer rates for fiscal year 2026.
City staff explained the proposed rates and said recent unexpected overages in billing from a major commercial account had been allocated to capital projects; staff told the council rates were set conservatively to cover operations and capital in the absence of that payment. Councilor Rothenberg objected to the public process around how unexpected revenue had been used, saying Ward 3 constituents were dissatisfied with the level of public consultation about allocation of the unexpected funds. Rothenberg then cast the lone no vote when the council took the roll-call vote.
Roll-call vote (as read at the meeting): Councilors Elkins, Jarrett, Clemmer, LaBarge, Maori, Moulton, Perry and Dobbs — yes. Councilor Rothenberg — no. The motion passed 8–1.
Ending Councilors who supported the rates said the schedule is needed to fund system upkeep and capital projects; the item will appear on the consent agenda for final documentation and implementation details.
