Centerville council delays drainage-fee increase, schedules public outreach

The Centerville City Council on Jan. 21 approved Resolution 2025-01 to delay the effective date of an increase to the city’s drainage utility fees and directed staff to hold additional outreach, including a work session and an open house for residents and business owners.

The action came after more than an hour of debate on timing, notification and the financial risks of postponing fee-driven drainage projects. Nate (finance staff) introduced the item, saying, “We're proposing, resolution 2025 dash o 1, our first resolution of the year to delay the effective date of the drainage utility fee increases.” Council and staff described the delay as an opportunity to present the audit, capital facilities plan and rate rationale to the public before bills reflect the new rates.

Why it matters: City staff and council members repeatedly said the drainage fund needs higher revenues to maintain and upgrade the storm system. Council members and staff warned delaying the increase further could defer projects, complicate bidding and create cash-flow problems for drainage and related street and water work. Councilmembers also emphasized the city has pursued grants and that the current 50% proposal followed an earlier staff recommendation to double rates.

Discussion highlights: Several business owners and residents who spoke during open session asked for broader notice and suggested the city hold a formal public hearing rather than only an open house. One commenter who identified himself as a local business representative recommended the resolution be amended to explicitly state the council “desires to allow further input and consideration from Centerville residents, businesses, and commercial property owners in the form of a public hearing.” City Manager Brent Hanson and staff said they plan to schedule a work session in March and an open house before that date to provide a 30–40 minute presentation summarizing the audit and capital needs.

Council members asked staff to maximize outreach: social media, targeted notices and possibly letters to businesses, noting the city has never sent mass business letters for past rate actions and that sending letters could create an expectation for future utility notices. Staff said mailing to every affected business would be costly but welcomed broader outreach and said they would discuss scope and cost.

Formal action: The council voted to approve Resolution 2025-01 as written (motion by a council member; seconded). The council also requested that staff schedule the outreach and report back. Mayor and council members stressed they were open to changing the rate if the public or new facts presented at outreach convinced them a different approach was needed, even while several members said they currently support the 50% increase as a compromise from the earlier 100% proposal.

Next steps: Staff will plan a work session (tentatively the first meeting in March) to focus on the audit and schedule an open house for public questions; exact dates and the scope of mailed notices to businesses remained under discussion following the vote.