Rochester Hills council accepts first reading of water, sewer rate increase after advisory council recommendation

Rochester Hills City Council accepted for first reading an ordinance to raise city water and sewer rates to be effective July 1, 2025, following a recommendation from the Water Service Advisory Council (WSAC).

City staff presented three rate pathways — keep rates flat and defer larger increases later, a "bridle-even" option to reach operational break-even in 2025–26, and a smoothing option that phases increases across four years. The WSAC unanimously recommended the bridle-even option. The proposed changes raise the city’s residential average two‑month bill from about $170 to $185 — roughly $15 every two months, or about $90 per year (an 8.7% combined increase under the staff estimates).

The council heard multiple reasons for the adjustment. City staff said water volumes have trended downward in recent years, meaning fixed system costs are spread over fewer…