Wellington trustees, stakeholders begin summer rate study focused on equity and revenue stability

Wellington Town staff and a stakeholder rate advisory group convened to kick off a multi-meeting rate and fee study that will examine water, wastewater and stormwater finances, rate structure and tap fees. Megan Smith, deputy director of public works for the town of Wellington, led the session and confirmed the group’s first formal advisory meeting is scheduled for May 28.

The study will update the town’s 2022 rate work and test whether the current rate structure meets the board’s priorities of revenue sufficiency, defensibility and equitable cost recovery among customer classes. “This will be the third resident rate roundtable that the town has pulled together in my time here,” Smith said, noting the advisory group approach was used in prior studies to gather resident perspectives.

Consultants from Raftelis outlined the study framework and the four technical components: a financial…