Council matches county wholesale increase, raises culinary water retail rate 15¢ per 1,000 gallons

The Hurricane City Council approved Resolution 2025-23 to increase the city’s retail culinary water billing rates by 15 cents per 1,000 gallons to match a wholesale rate increase adopted by the Washington County Water Conservancy District.

Corey, speaking for the water department, told the council that the district raised wholesale rates by 15 cents per 1,000 gallons and that the local water board on April 29 recommended the city match that increase and apply a 2% across-the-board inflation adjustment (a practice used the prior several years). Councilman Fawcett moved to approve the resolution; Councilman Ellerman seconded. The council voted in favor (ayes) and the mayor declared the measure approved.

Staff discussed how the district’s wholesale change affects the city’s purchased water for a portion of the community and said the retail increase aligns Hurricane’s rates with the district’s pass-through. Staff did not provide a single consolidated “new rate” number at the meeting; the council’s action was to add the 15¢ per 1,000 gallons wholesale increase to the city’s rate schedule and continue the routine inflation adjustment.

Ending

Staff will incorporate the adjusted rates into the city’s billing schedule and notify customers per city policy and state requirements.