Nelson supervisors push staff to scale down Piney River rate hikes, ask for revised ordinance in December
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Summary
After staff proposed multi‑year increases that would more than double some bills over four years, supervisors directed staff to return a revised Piney River water and sewer ordinance reflecting smaller, predictable increases (a working consensus at 7% annually) and to bring the amended ordinance back for the board’s December meeting.
Nelson County supervisors on Thursday debated proposed multi‑year increases to Piney River water and sewer rates and gave staff direction to prepare a scaled‑back ordinance for consideration at the board’s December meeting.
County staff presented draft ordinance O2025‑O9, which showed staged increases beginning Jan. 1, 2026 and continuing through July 2028. Staff examples showed a typical water+sewer+grinder‑pump customer with a current monthly bill of $68.50 would see that charge rise to $85.65 in January 2026 and could reach $154.26 by July 2028 under the advertised schedule. Finance staff presented breakeven analyses showing a five‑year operational breakeven of about $74.52 per month and an operational‑plus‑capital breakeven near $107.62.
Several supervisors called the advertised multi‑year schedule unaffordable for many Piney River customers. “That schedule that we have proposed is unaffordable for [a] vast majority of the community,” said Supervisor Parr, urging a more gradual approach. Supervisor Barrack and others suggested a predictable, smaller annual increase would be fairer and easier for residents to plan for.
After extended discussion about timing and magnitude, a working consensus emerged around adopting a smaller annual increase instead of the larger advertised jumps. Supervisor Barrack proposed establishing modest, regular increases — he suggested 5 percent — while others advocated 7 percent. Supervisor Breyer said a July 1 effective date tied to the fiscal year would give customers time to prepare. The board did not adopt the advertised ordinance; instead members authorized staff to prepare a revised ordinance reflecting the board’s guidance and return it to the board for consideration at the December regular meeting.
Staff said another public hearing would not be required if any adopted rates were lower than the previously advertised amounts. County staff also outlined alternatives they could present, including using a five‑year breakeven calculation or applying a flat percentage instead of the staged dollar increases in the current draft.
The board’s direction stops short of formal adoption and leaves the final rate decision to a future meeting when supervisors will review the revised ordinance and the public record.
What’s next: Staff will draft an amended ordinance reflecting board guidance (fewer increases, likely smaller annual percentages with a July 1 effective date) and present it at the board’s December meeting for formal action.