High Point budget presentation includes 8% water/sewer rate increase, solid waste fee changes and capital requests

Steven Havelock, the city’s budget performance director, told the High Point City Council the proposed FY2025–26 operating and capital budget includes an 8% increase in water and sewer rates, higher capital and debt-service costs in the city’s five-year capital improvement plan and several fee schedule changes across departments.

“The water sewer in the proposed budget includes an 8% rate increase,” Havelock said. He attributed most of that increase to the city’s share of infrastructure improvements at the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority (PTRWA), higher construction estimates on major projects and increased pay-as-you-go and bond-funded capital needs.

Havelock presented a table of capital drivers that listed four near-term revenue-bond projects—an East Side UV upgrade, West Side centrifuge, Water View pump station and the Whites Mill lift station—along with a large current estimate for the City Lake Dam project. The proposed five-year revenue-bond total rose in the plan from about $101 million previously to roughly $207 million in the current draft.

On fees, staff recommended targeted changes including: an 8% equivalent rate action for water/sewer (described above); a proposed meter-fee schedule that reduces the 5/8-inch meter charge while increasing some larger meter charges to reflect replacement costs; a $1 monthly increase to the landfill post-closure fee (from $5 to $6); tipping-fee increases (to $48 per ton at Kersey Valley Landfill and $35 per ton at the material recovery facility); and a proposed $6-per-ton yard-waste fee at Ingleside with a $7.50 minimum per trip. Staff provided a practical example: a 10–12 foot crepe myrtle would weigh about 600 pounds (0.3 tons) and would cost about $12.30 under the proposed yard-waste fee.

Solid-waste recommendations also included eliminating the city’s suspended “red box” rental program and increasing a veterinarian dead-animal pickup fee to help recover rising costs. Havelock said a recent feasibility study recommended the adjustments and staff compared High Point’s proposed landfill fee to nearby jurisdictions; he told council the $48-per-ton number aligns with Greensboro’s charge.

Council members asked for additional detail on specific items. Councilman Adrian said he was concerned that the proposed civilian traffic investigator position appeared to be paid more than an IT cybersecurity analyst and asked staff to provide a clearer breakdown of equipment, salary and benefit components. Havelock said compensation recommendations come from HR and outside compensation and classification consultants and that staff would provide more detail on the position’s total compensation and operating costs.

Staff also described proposed capital allocations and timing: $250,000 in the capital budget for local bridge maintenance to address six bridges divided into high- and second-tier priorities; $600,000 in the proposed water/sewer CIP for Kerns water plant demolition if the budget is approved; and funding set aside for an Oak Hollow Lake intake protective boom and generator improvements. The electric fund includes a large project for a new Electric Operations Center estimated at $16 million.

Havelock reviewed non-profit funding history and ARPA balances: the High Point Schools Partnership previously received $150,000 in ARPA-enabled funds for a mentorship-and-enrichment coordinator (a two-year allocation) and the city’s remaining ARPA-enabled balance stood at about $154,984, according to staff. He also listed major grants connected to the Southwest Renewal Foundation’s work, including a $19.8 million “Bill grant” awarded in 2021 and a $5 million NC stormwater infrastructure award for West Green Drive.

Staff summarized proposed customer-service changes: the city would close the Northpointe in-person payment location effective Oct. 1, 2025, with alternatives including City Hall, participating retailers and multiple online and automated payment options; staff said in-person payments have declined nearly 50% since FY2019 and the closure is tied to that drop.

The work session concluded with next steps: public hearings and additional council work sessions prior to a tentative budget adoption in June. Council then voted to move to closed session. The motion to go into closed session was made by Councilmember Holmes, seconded by Councilmember Andrew, and carried on a voice vote.