Centerton adopts water-rate increase tied to wholesaler costs; council schedules February billing

The Centerton City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 2024‑33, approving a water-rate adjustment that combines a passthrough increase for wholesale water charges and an additional operating-cost increase, to take effect with the February billing cycle.

Supporters and city staff said the increase is partly a direct passthrough of higher charges from the Benton Washington Regional Water Authority and partly to cover rising local operating costs. “We were actually able this year to hit our budgeted goal of 500,000,” Finance Director Shannon said during the meeting, citing improved revenue collection and growth in ambulance collection that helped overall finances.

Why it matters: The vote follows several months of discussion about Centerton’s high system water loss and a push to increase funding for ongoing leak…