Council delays proposed water-rate increase to allow public comment and place item before final budget

Centerville’s public works staff proposed a culinary water rate increase and the council voted to delay consideration until the June 17 meeting so the rate discussion can be placed ahead of final budget adoption and allow time for public comment.

Public works staff summarized the proposed increase as a modest annual step rather than a single large bump: the draft rates presented would move the base (monthly) culinary-water charge to $39.60 and retain tiered usage blocks designed to encourage conservation, with higher per‑1,000‑gallon charges in higher tiers. Staff described the top tier as $3.00 per 1,000 gallons for usage above 10,000 gallons; the middle tiers would be $1.68 per 1,000 and $2.30 per 1,000 for the intermediary blocks, as presented in staff materials.

Public works staff said the proposed change would cover an expected $78,000 increase in water operations expenditures included in the FY26 budget and noted the city budgets for a possible 5% rate increase in its revenue estimates for the coming fiscal year. Staff also explained that bills are issued in arrears and that, administratively, a June 17 decision would provide adequate time to update customer bills (the new charges would not appear on bills until about August).

Several council members said they preferred giving the public additional time to comment given past criticism about rate changes. A motion to table the rate increase and put the item before the budget on the June 17 agenda passed unanimously. Staff said it would return with notice and final calculations at that meeting.