Council hears first reading of ordinance to raise sewer rates, connection fees

Elizabethtown City Council conducted a first reading on March 17 of an ordinance repealing and replacing the city’s existing sewer rate ordinance and establishing new sewer rates and connection fees. The ordinance was read by summary and will apply to bills rendered after July 1, 2025.

Under the ordinance summary presented at the meeting, the monthly minimum sewer bill for the first 2,000 gallons would be $14.46 for bills rendered after July 1, 2025. The summary lays out staged increases on July 1 of the following years: $16.70 after July 1, 2026; $18.95 after July 1, 2027; and $19.52 after July 1, 2028. For usage over 2,000 gallons, the summary describes an additional charge at a listed rate (transcript: "$6.36 per 1,000") and also provides for surcharges for extra-strength waste and hauled waste.

The ordinance includes hauled-waste rates and connection fees. The summary listed hauled-waste charges including leachate from the Pearl Hollow landfill at $28.15 per ton and other hauled waste at $38.36 per ton. Connection fees listed in the summary include $1,500 for single-family residential connections; multifamily at $2,000 per building plus $300 per unit; nonresidential connection fees of $2,000 for buildings under 10,000 square feet, $3,500 for 10,000–50,000 square feet, and $5,000 for over 50,000 square feet; and a $10,000 connection fee category identified for significant industrial users.

Council members noted the city has not increased connection fees since 1999 and did not change sewer rates in 2012, and staff referenced a 2023 study as part of the analysis behind the proposed changes. The summary said staff believes the proposed schedule keeps the city’s fees lower than many nearby utilities while addressing inflation and increased operating costs. The item was recorded as a first reading by summary; the full ordinance text is available at the city clerk’s office and staff signaled they would provide additional detail on surcharge definitions and hauled-waste categories (a staff member identified as Corey was noted as available to explain those details).