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Kirksville council approves 5% increase to water and sewer volume rates, effective Jan. 1, 2026
Summary
After a public hearing, the Kirksville City Council voted to raise water and sanitary sewer volume charges by 5%, a change city staff say will help cover recent capital work and maintain eligibility for state revolving loan financing.
The Kirksville City Council on Monday approved an updated fee schedule that raises water and sanitary sewer volume charges by 5%, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Finance Director Lacey King told the council the increase is intended to help cover operating costs, finish capital projects and maintain the city’s eligibility for state revolving loan financing.
King said the utility fund must be self-supporting and meet state revolving loan fund participation requirements, including having net operating revenues at least 110% of annual debt service. She told the council the city is finishing two major projects—a clarifier at the water treatment plant and a disinfection system added to the wastewater treatment plant to meet permit conditions—and is planning a meter replacement program.
Under the change, the city will not increase stormwater charges (the city will use the existing stormwater service utility fee) and will not raise flat availability fees tied to meter size. King said the minimum monthly bill, based on 200 cubic feet (about 1,500 gallons), will rise by 99 cents; using a 5,000-gallon comparison, the volume increase amounts to $3.30 per month. Based on recent consumption trends, King said the 5% volume increase is expected to generate about $359,000 annually.
King also described how the city evaluates rates: “We look at trends, how our systems are operating, increased costs for chemicals and the five‑year capital plan,” and said staff must ensure the utility fund can pay principal and interest as debts come due. Council members asked clarifying questions about the timing of future rate changes tied to debt paydown and the status of infrastructure evaluations; King replied that recommendations from ongoing system evaluations and any changes to state permit requirements will affect future rate decisions.
No members of the public spoke during the required public hearing before the council voted. Council members approved the fee schedule by voice vote; the ordinance and accompanying resolution set the new volume rates to begin Jan. 1, 2026.
The rate change is intended to preserve the utility fund’s financial standards and to allow planned capital work to proceed without jeopardizing grant or loan eligibility. Staff said routine monitoring and future capital and permit developments could prompt further rate adjustments.
