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Valley Center approves 2025 water and sewer rates; council absorbs portion of Wichita increase
Summary
The council approved a 2025 water and sewer rate package that limits pass-through of Wichitas wholesale increases, raising water tiers by 4.5% and sewer by 2.5% while keeping base charges unchanged.
The City of Valley Center council approved new water and sewer rates for 2025 that partially absorb wholesale increases from the City of Wichita and limit immediate rate shock for local customers.
City staff said Wichita raised the wholesale water rates charged to Valley Center this year. Staff reported Wichitas announced increases for wholesale tiers 1 and 2 and noted an inconsistent transcript reference to tier 3; the exact tier-3 figure was not clearly stated during the presentation. After reviewing the city's finances, staff recommended not passing the full wholesale increase to customers and proposed a 4.5% flat increase for water tiers 1, 2 and 3, holding base rates at 2024 levels, and keeping sewer rates at the standard 2.5% increase.
Staff told the council the utility funds are in a healthy position and the city can temporarily absorb the difference between Wichitas wholesale increase and the locally adopted 4.5% tier increase. A typical Valley Center household would see an annual change staff estimated as roughly $18 per year under the proposed rates.
Councilors discussed the long-term plan to reduce reliance on Wichita by completing a local water treatment plant. Staff said the plant is projected to be online for testing in 2026 and fully operational in 2027 and would help restrain future wholesale pass-throughs.
A motion to adopt the proposed 2025 water and sewer rates carried on a voice vote; the council did not record a roll-call tally in the meeting record.
The approved package increases water tiers by 4.5%, keeps base rates unchanged from 2024 and increases sewer rates by 2.5% for 2025. Staff said they will continue monitoring wholesale charges and plant construction timelines to adjust future rates as needed.
