Columbia staff propose multi‑year water rate changes; council holds vote for Aug. 18 after public comment

City staff presented a cost‑of‑service study and proposed amendments to Chapter 27 of the city code that would change Columbia’s water rates and fee structure and increase water revenues. The study recommended a 12% revenue increase for fiscal year 2026 (about $3.6 million), an additional 10% in FY27 and annual adjustments thereafter unless otherwise modified; staff also proposed replacing summer/non‑summer tiers with a year‑round three‑tier structure that resets Tier 1 to 100% of each customer’s winter average consumption.

Nut graf: The proposed changes are intended to stabilize utility finances, better allocate the costs of peak day and peak hour demand to high‑usage customers, and update connection and appurtenance fees that have not been raised since 2014; council agreed to hold a formal vote Aug. 18 to allow additional public input and staff follow‑up on bond project status and…