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Gloucester County staff urge borrowing, propose 14% water-rate increase to fund aging system
Summary
County staff told the Board of Supervisors the utilities fund balance is nearly depleted and proposed borrowing in fiscal 2026 plus a 14% water-only rate increase advertised for public hearing to address $2.1 million in near-term water and sewer capital needs and to rebuild reserves.
Miss Legg, county staff assigned to utilities, told the Gloucester County Board of Supervisors on March 24 that the utilities unassigned fund balance is nearly exhausted and borrowing will be required in fiscal 2026 to pay for needed capital repairs and replacements. “Borrowing needs to occur in FY 26 if we're going to address some very much needed capital needs,” Legg said.
The nut graf: County staff presented a FY26 plan that pairs proposed debt financing with a public hearing on April 1 for a 14% water-only rate increase. Staff said without borrowing and rate increases, the county’s ability to respond to unplanned major repairs would be limited and, in a catastrophic event, the general fund would be the fallback payer.
Legg summarized the financial drivers: the county’s 10-year capital plan identifies roughly $60,000,000 in utilities needs, and the utilities unassigned fund balance is projected to fall to about $27,000 by…
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