Fountain staff to recommend two‑year water‑rate plan; council approves first reading to repeal current rates

The Fountain City Council heard continued public comment and staff briefings on a proposed multi‑year water‑rate plan during its Feb. 11 meeting, and staff said they will recommend a two‑year implementation timetable tied to the city’s two‑year budget cycle.

Mr. Blankenship (city utilities staff) told council that, following public input, his intention is to propose a two‑year plan that would implement the first increase in March and schedule the second as part of the 2026 budget (effective Jan. 1, 2026). He said a formal recommendation will be on the Feb. 25 council agenda and that staff will provide alternatives but that the two‑year plan will be his principal recommendation.

To enable consideration of new rates at the next meeting, council approved on first reading Ordinance 18‑10 — an ordinance repealing Ordinance 17‑29, the existing water‑rate ordinance. The first‑reading motion passed on a 6‑0 voice vote (Council member Estes moved; Council member Herzberg seconded). Blankenship explained that the city has historically adopted rates by ordinance and that repealing the old ordinance is a procedural step needed before adopting new rates by resolution.

Blankenship said staff will present a recommendation at the Feb. 25 meeting and that council will consider a resolution with the proposed new rates at that time. He also noted staff intends to align the second year of any change with the city’s budget cycle so rate proposals and budgets are integrated.

During the public comment portion for the rate study, staff took questions and said they had supplied written answers to some residents who had submitted detailed questions after the previous meeting. The council did not take a final rate vote on Feb. 11; that action was deferred to the Feb. 25 meeting.