Lewiston staff propose 20% sewer and stormwater rate increases; water rates held flat

Summary

City staff told the council they are not recommending a water rate increase for FY26 but propose 20% increases for sewer and stormwater to cover rising personnel, benefits and debt costs; council members asked about meter replacement, hydro credits and the new state-paid family medical leave program.

Lewiston finance and public-works leaders told the City Council at a workshop that they recommend no increase to water rates but a 20% increase to both sewer and stormwater charges for fiscal 2026.

City Finance Director Tracy Roy and Public Works Director Kevin Gonyea said the utility budgets face higher personnel and operating costs, rising debt service after the city—s 2023 bond sale, and uncertain energy credits tied to a long-standing hydro power agreement. Roy said sewer revenues would rise under the proposed adjustments but that the sewer fund would still show an operating deficit of roughly $331,230 in the FY26 draft; stormwater would show an operating deficit of about $167,444, she said. Roy also told the council that water revenues fell in the latest year and the water fund faces an estimated deficit in FY25 of about $383,679.

The recommendation matters because utility rate changes affect…

Lewiston staff propose 20% sewer and stormwater rate increases; water rates held flat

Summary

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