Council schedules follow‑up on drainage rate increase; staff to present analysis at next regular meeting

City staff and council discussed the city’s pending drainage rate increase and agreed to schedule a follow‑up presentation at the next regular council meeting to walk through the rate analysis and audit work before the rate appears on resident bills.

Brent (city manager) reminded council the rate change has an effective date of March 26 and will show up on customer bills beginning May 1; councilmembers asked for an additional public presentation and an open‑house option so residents can review the analysis and ask questions. Staff proposed a focused presentation from Public Works at the next meeting and said that approach will be recorded and available to residents who cannot attend in person.

Council discussed whether to delay the effective date but concluded the proposed timeline still provides adequate notice and that further public outreach — reporting on the audit and the drainage rate analysis — would be the preferred next step. Staff will prepare materials and a council agenda item that explains the basis for the 50% increase, uses of the additional revenue, and options for bill phasing if necessary.

No change to the March 26 effective date was made during the meeting; council members said they want the public presentation and additional materials before finalizing any further calendar changes.