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Yankton raises water and solid-waste rates, adjusts licensing fees; wastewater rate reduced
Summary
The commission adopted a 3% increase to water and solid-waste collection rates (effective Nov. 1, 2024), a 3% decrease to wastewater incremental rates, and a package of license-fee increases to take effect Jan. 1, 2025, to cover staff time and maintain loan eligibility.
The Yankton City Commission on Oct. 15 adopted multiple utility-rate and licensing-fee adjustments. By resolution the commission approved a 3% increase in water consumption rates and no change to the existing surcharge, effective Nov. 1, 2024; at the same meeting it adopted a 3% decrease to wastewater incremental rates and a 3% increase to solid-waste collection rates to take effect the same date.
City staff explained the water-rate increase as a response to inflation, rising materials costs and debt-service obligations tied to capital projects. Staff specifically cited a need to maintain a 10% debt-service level to remain eligible for State Revolving Fund (SRF) loans administered through the state Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Commissioners questioned the basis for the 3% figure; staff said the amount was presented during the municipal budget workshop earlier in the year and aligns with assumptions used in the 2025 budget.
Separately, the commission approved a resolution updating license fees to take effect Jan. 1, 2025. The changes include raising the fee for dance halls (adult-oriented businesses) from $50 per year to $250 per year; increasing circus and carnival day fees from $25 to $50 per day; setting special off-sale wine fees at $50 per day and special on-sale liquor fees at $100 per day. Staff explained those increases will help the city cover publication and staff-inspection costs; staff noted the $5 per day special-alcohol fee previously used traced to a state statute that was repealed in 2010.
The commission adopted the rate and fee adjustments by roll-call vote. Staff said the Jan. 1 effective date allows the public and event organizers time to adjust and aligns the fee changes with related ordinance revisions.
Next procedural steps: staff will publish the administrative code changes and the new fees in advance of the Jan. 1 effective date and continue to manage SRF loan compliance for utility projects.
