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Waukee council adopts multiple utility rate ordinance readings; sewer increase effective July 1
Summary
The council approved final (third) readings of multiple ordinances adjusting water, sewer, stormwater, solid waste and natural gas rates; staff said changes are intended to cover rising costs and align rates for the coming fiscal year.
The Waukee City Council approved third and final readings of several ordinances that adjust municipal utility rates, moving the changes toward implementation.
City staff presented proposed rate adjustments on the council chamber screen and recommended approval. Brady, a city staff member, summarized the water rate increase as 2.5 percent and asked the council to approve the third reading and place the ordinance on final passage. “Staff would recommend approving the third reading of the ordinance and placing on final passage,” Brady said.
The council moved and approved the third reading of the water ordinance (Chapter 92, Section 92.02) with the stated 2.5 percent increase. The council also approved the third reading of the sewer ordinance (Chapter 98, Section 98.01); staff cited a 1 percent increase for sewer service charges and stated that the sewer changes will be effective July 1, 2025. Council members approved the stormwater ordinance (Chapter 100, Section 100.05); staff referenced an approximately 8.7 percent increase shown on the presentation. The solid-waste ordinance (Chapter 106, Section 106.1) passed on final reading with staff pointing to a $2.50 increase for single-family collection and a 30-cent decrease for multifamily rates. The council approved changes to natural gas service charges (Chapter 110, Section 110.02); staff described base charge increases for small- and large-volume customers and cleanup of an interruptible commercial/industrial service charge.
All items were presented as third and final readings and were approved by voice vote with no recorded dissent. Council members recorded in votes for these items included Council Member Crone, Council Member Pierce, Council Member Kron, Council Member Grove, Council Member Sinclair and Council Member Battenberg.
Staff said some of the changes address higher operating costs such as increased fees (for example, Westcom was cited elsewhere in the meeting for rising public safety costs) and that the ordinances will be implemented according to the statutory and administrative timelines for each utility.
