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Finance committee sends proposed 5% water consumption increase to council for public hearing
Summary
The committee voted to send water rate amendments to City Council, including a proposed 5% consumption-rate increase (in addition to an 8% base rate already approved in March). Staff said consultant work on tier structure continues; the increase would take effect July 1 if council approves and a 30-day waiting period after public hearing is met.
The Delaware City Finance Committee voted June 2 to forward proposed water rate amendments to the City Council for public hearing and final action.
Staff told the committee that the council approved an 8% base rate increase in March. The current proposal would add at least a 5% increase to consumption rates to be applied beginning July 1 if Council approves the ordinance in time; otherwise staff said implementation would begin Aug. 1. Staff said the city must observe a 30-day waiting period after council approval and after a public hearing before the rates take effect.
City staff said the proposal addresses both operating and capital needs for the water utility. Consultants working with the city are preparing a second draft of the consumption tiers after initial data errors were identified and corrected; staff said the goal is to protect “base users” who keep usage low while shifting higher costs to customers who use significantly more water for outdoor irrigation and similar uses.
Committee members moved, seconded and approved sending the amendments to council. A roll call recorded “yes” votes from Mr. Hoffman, Mr. Haynes and Chair Schafer. No final consumption numbers were adopted at the committee level; the committee only recommended putting the proposal on the council agenda for public hearing and possible adoption.
