Xenia City Council on Tuesday approved amendments to the city's fee schedule and building standards that include higher water rates and increased building permit fees intended to fund infrastructure projects and inspection services.

City finance and utility staff, led by Mr. Duke, told council the water rate increases are driven by planned capital projects — including replacement of lead service lines discovered in older mains — and that water rate changes would take effect March 1, while building inspection fee changes would be effective Jan. 1.

"There is an increase that's required in the water rate to offset many of those expenditures related to improving the city's infrastructure," Duke said. He said most provisions required by House Bill 96 and other changes are administrative and would not change tax rates.

Council members pressed staff about who will bear the cost of private lead‑line replacements. Duke said generally lines after the meter have been treated as the property owner’s responsibility, but federal and state rules — including EPA guidance and pending Ohio statutory action — create ambiguity and could increase municipalities’ obligations to replace private connections. Merriman and staff warned the mandate is an unfunded federal requirement and could amount to very large costs at the municipal or state level.

"Generally, any lines after the meter are the responsibility of the property owner," Duke said. "But there is some ambiguity about what the state is requiring, and it could change." Merriman added that the city has begun a database of suspected lead connections and is planning mains replacement projects on streets such as King Street.

Councilman Reese asked whether renters might see increased bills if apartment owners are required to replace private plumbing. Duke answered that costs for private property plumbing upgrades would fall to property owners and would not be spread to all residents; however, he noted the water rate increase funds system‑level mains replacement and capital projects.

Staff and council also discussed administrative options to manage future liabilities, including the legal risks of entering private property to perform replacements, potential litigation, and the city's 15‑year certification timeline to remove all lead lines from the system.

Council approved the ordinance (introduced earlier by the mayor) after limited public comment and staff responses. The measure was passed as part of a set of fee‑related ordinances that the council adopted during the meeting.