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Water Resources Board adopts balanced budget; approves modest rate increases
Summary
The board adopted a balanced Water Resources budget of $65.228 million for FY 2026, approved a 25-cent monthly minimum increase for most meters on both water and sewer and a small commodity-rate increase on water; projected additional revenue totals were presented along with personnel additions and reserve levels.
The Water Resources Board on May 27 adopted a balanced fiscal year 2026 budget for the department and approved modest rate adjustments intended to support operations and capital needs.
Valerie (Staff member) presented the $65,228,000 combined water and sewer budget and said the department expects water and sewer revenues to support operations and capital transfers. The board approved a proposed 25¢ (0.25) per month increase to the minimum monthly bill for the 5/8-inch meter class on both the water and sewer sides; staff also proposed a commodity charge increase on water from $3.70 to $3.75 per unit. Sewer commodity rates were not increased. Staff estimated the water changes would add about $330,000 in revenue and the sewer minimum increases roughly $853,000 in additional revenue, based on existing customers and expected growth.
Staff presented the budget charts showing tap revenue of about $6.25 million and a planned transfer of tap revenues to sinking funds of approximately $11.6 million. Valerie said the department’s excess reserves stood at about $43 million at the snapshot presented and noted the city’s minimum-reserve policy target of approximately $33.8 million. The packet also described ongoing capital projects including biosolids drying operations at the WERF, Cherry Lane pump station rehab, Thompson Lane utility relocations and other wet-weather improvements.
Staff proposed several personnel changes: four Operations & Maintenance positions (including a crew to locate roughly 6,500 sewer cleanouts, valve-exercise staff and a foreman), one part-time engineer, one water-treatment cross-connection/control position and a shared City Works subject-matter-expert position. Valerie noted a new engineer, George Reagan, started with the department the same day.
A motion to approve the budget and accompanying resolution was made, seconded and carried by voice vote.
