Post Falls council adopts FY2026 fee updates for utilities, garbage and parks

The Post Falls City Council approved an updated fee schedule for fiscal year 2026 at its Aug. 19 meeting. The adopted changes include modest adjustments to utility and solid-waste charges, updated capital-impact fees, and a range of parks-and-recreation fees.

City staff presented the proposed changes: a 1–1.5% water rate adjustment (depending on usage tiers), a 2.5% increase in wastewater rates, updated capacity (cap) fees derived from the city’s engineering model and consultant worksheets, and a 5.2% increase in contracted solid-waste charges to be passed through to customers under the city’s current contract with the hauler. Staff also noted that liquor-license fees were recommended to remain unchanged for FY2026.

Parks-and-recreation fee adjustments were included in the packet. Staff explained some user fees differentiate resident and nonresident rates; staff also said some activities are run by outside vendors or are priced to achieve participation thresholds that allow classes to run. Council asked for clarifications about which park services charge nonresident rates and why some offerings (community garden plots, disc golf tournaments and certain gym rentals) do not use a resident/nonresident split.

A public comment period included a resident who asked the council to reconsider wastewater increases and noted that Post Falls wastewater bills have risen in recent years after significant state regulatory-driven upgrades. Council members and staff explained the wastewater increases reflected long-term capital needs and permit-driven upgrades that had been implemented over multiple years.

The council approved the FY2026 fee resolution by roll call vote at the Aug. 19 meeting; staff will publish the adopted fee schedule and implement rates in the billing cycles for FY2026 as appropriate.