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NorthlakeTown Council adopts water and sewer fee updates and codifies high‑usage surcharge
Summary
Council voted unanimously to adopt amendments to water and sanitary sewer fees to reflect wholesale cost increases and to codify a high‑water‑usage surcharge into the town code, keeping incentives for conservation and smoothing rate impacts.
Council approved an ordinance amending Northlake’s water and sanitary sewer fees and separately codified the high‑water‑usage surcharge that applies during conservation stages.
Staff told the council that most rate pressure resulted from rising wholesale costs and that smaller, more frequent adjustments reduce the risk of a single large rate increase. Finance staff reported about $92 million in investment book value and said the town earned roughly $933,000 in interest in the quarter, figures staff said give the town flexibility in managing debt service for capital projects.
Councilors emphasized the town does not subsidize the water/sewer enterprise with property tax and noted the new fee structure aims to spread necessary cost increases over time. On the surcharge, staff said the proposed permanent language will incentivize water savings and apply a premium to excessive use during declared management stages; the council voted 6–0 to adopt the changes.
Next steps are technical ordinance finalization and posting updated rate tables on the town website; staff said the town will continue to publish investment and quarterly financial reports online.
