Board approves higher water and sewer connection fees and new charges for utility tampering

The Gloucester County Board of Supervisors on July 8 approved an ordinance raising several water and sewer connection fees and adopting new and increased miscellaneous charges for utility services.

Public utility director Katie Lagg told supervisors the county had not materially adjusted connection fees since about 2011 and that most customer accounts (about 97 percent) use 3/4‑inch or 1‑inch meters. The board voted to advertise and adopt the middle of three options staff had presented: application fees are increased by 50 percent and development fees are tripled, roughly bringing Gloucester’s combined connection fees closer to other regional localities.

Under the adopted changes residential connection costs (application plus development fees) for a typical 3/4‑inch meter rise substantially; planning staff provided a county comparison showing Gloucester’s fees would move from among the lowest in the region to nearer the top after the changes. The county estimates the fee changes could increase sewer and water connection revenue by roughly $130,000 in FY26 compared with the previously budgeted figure, though staff described the projection as conservative.

The ordinance also increases fees for discontinuance and renewal of sewer and water service, raising the after‑hours reconnection charge and adding a new $250 equipment tampering and destruction charge to cover cases in which private parties deliberately damage the county’s new metering equipment or open hydrants without permission. Staff said the county’s new metering hardware and lids are more expensive than previous equipment and that deliberate damage has occurred.

Some supervisors questioned specific line items in the advertised ordinance, particularly whether a sewer reconnection fee should be doubled when a water reconnection is also required; utility staff said billing practices vary by account type and pledged to confirm whether both fees would be assessed together. Several members urged revisiting irrigation‑meter charges, which remain defined in the code as 10 percent of the regular connection fee; supervisors asked staff to explore setting a fixed fee for irrigation meters in a future ordinance update.

Public commenters and supervisors argued the increases are modest compared with neighboring systems and urged the county to consider still higher fees to fund necessary capital upgrades. County utility staff noted the department is an enterprise fund and relies on connection and user revenue for upgrades and maintenance.

After public comment and follow‑up discussion the board voted to adopt the ordinance as advertised. Staff said they will return with clarifying language if necessary and with implementation steps for billing and for public outreach on the revised charges.