Lewiston council adopts consolidated fee schedule, trims proposed water increase to 5%

Summary

After a lengthy public hearing, the Lewiston City Council adopted a consolidated FY2026 fee schedule that freezes the smallest meter charge and cuts a proposed 10% water consumption increase to 5%; councilors and residents pressed staff on bond spending, a long‑running water intake project, and the city’s $50M estimated water capital needs.

The Lewiston City Council on a 6‑to‑1 vote adopted a consolidated fee resolution for fiscal year 2026 that combines 11 prior fee schedules and changes multiple utility and service charges, after a public hearing that centered on water rates and service costs.

Dustin Johnson, public works director, told the council the consolidated package was intended to “provide consistency across all the departments” and to reflect necessary adjustments driven by operating costs, debt service and capital needs. He said the city faces a multi‑year backlog of work and capital projects tied to the water treatment system and intake, and that the proposed package as presented in June included a larger consumption increase that the council later amended.

Councilor Klein successfully moved to reduce the originally proposed 10% increase in the water consumption charge to 5% (the council recorded the amendment and adopted…

Lewiston council adopts consolidated fee schedule, trims proposed water increase to 5%

Summary

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