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City staff recommends 5% water and wastewater rate increase in 2026 after multi-year projections
Summary
Finance staff presented a 2026 utility fund rate study recommending a 5% water and wastewater rate increase to preserve utility fund stability while financing planned capital projects, including a debt-financed wastewater equipment upgrade and a future downtown water plant upgrade.
Debbie Pack, the city’s director of finance and administration, told the commission during a July 14 study session that staff recommends a 5% water and wastewater rate increase for 2026 and included that increase in the draft budget. "This is our final plan study session for the 2026 budget. Today we're gonna discuss water and wastewater rates," Pack said.
The recommendation arrives after staff modeled utility fund revenues and expenses using the 2026 budget as a baseline and multiyear assumptions (4% personnel and benefits growth, 3% commodities and contractual, 1% capital outlay). Pack said the model also assumes the city will move some wastewater plant…
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