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Council keeps TSSD fee separate on utility bills after staff review
Summary
After a staff review of billing systems and transparency concerns, Highland City Council directed staff to retain separate line items for the city’s sewer charge and the TSSD (treatment district) charge rather than combining them on a single line on bills.
Highland City Council instructed staff on Feb. 4 to continue showing separate sewer charges on utility bills for the city’s sewer service and the treatment district (TSSD) charge, after staff and council discussed transparency implications.
City staff had reported to the council that the city’s billing software and printer can combine the two line items into a single “sewer” charge if the council prefers. City staff and some council members warned that combining the amounts into one line could reduce transparency for residents because the TSSD charge is set and adjusted by the external treatment district while the city’s portion reflects municipal costs. The council ultimately directed staff to keep the city and TSSD charges separate so each element of the bill more clearly reflects the underlying service and future TSSD increases.
Why it matters: Keeping the charges separate helps residents see what portion of their sewer bill is charged by TSSD versus the city, aiding transparency if the treatment district increases rates in the future. Staff said the January rate restructure already separates city and TSSD costs going forward, and maintaining distinct bill lines will let the city show which increases are driven by the district versus municipal decisions.
Next steps: Staff will continue to present separate line‑item billing for TSSD and Highland City sewer charges and will note the distinction in customer communications.
