Andover amends sewer connection surcharge ordinance, reduces annual increase to 2.5%

The Andover City Council approved amendments to Chapter 16 Article 7 of the municipal code and a related fee resolution that staff said will simplify billing and better align commercial and multifamily connections with anticipated water use.

Jolene (planning/staff) told the council the prior ordinance required an administrative reconciliation within 18 months to reconcile estimated and actual water use; staff recommended eliminating that section to reduce administrative burden. The ordinance changes nonresidential calculations so that certain multifamily units (quadplexes and above) pay 75% of the residential surcharge per unit as discussed in a prior workshop on Sept. 8.

Staff also increased the maximum fine for unauthorized connections from $100 to $500, removed outdated references to a specific dollar figure ($1,500) and aligned billing to occur when the permanent permit is pulled. The resolution sets the actual surcharge schedule and reduces the annual automatic increase from 4% to 2.5% beginning Jan. 1, 2026, which staff said more closely tracks inflation and mitigates exponential rate growth.

Councilmembers thanked staff for the prior workshop and analysis and voted to approve both the ordinance amendment and the fee resolution by unanimous voice votes when tallies were announced (motions carried 6-0). Staff and public-works personnel said they do not anticipate a significant immediate financial impact to the utility from these changes; departments will update billing procedures to implement the new schedule.

The ordinance/fee changes will take effect per the dates in the adopted documents, and staff will notify affected customers and update internal procedures to reflect the calculation and billing timing changes.