Council adopts sewer-rate increases with surcharge for extended-line customers; residents voice affordability worries

Huntington City Council on Dec. 9 approved the second reading of an ordinance to adjust sewerage and stormwater rates, drawing public concern about affordability even as city staff said the changes are needed to fund infrastructure projects.

City staff (Mister Bracey) described an adjustment implemented over four steps and explained a surcharge structure for customers served by extended-line (Route 10) connections: a flat surcharge of $21 and an additional $7 per 1,000 gallons. The policy is intended to allocate costs for line-extension customers so those directly served by recent extensions bear part of the expense through a surcharge.

During public comment, Ginger Fannin (2030 Anton Drive) said her water and sewer bills have doubled in 12 years, criticized the city's minimum-billing practice (1,500 gallons) for low users and said higher bills place an outsized burden on elderly and low-wage residents. She also urged scrutiny of private water-company executive compensation that affects local drinking-water costs, though councilors clarified the ordinance covers the city's sewage and stormwater systems rather than drinking water handled by a private company.

Council discussed trade-offs between infrastructure needs and affordability. On roll-call vote the ordinance passed with a single recorded no vote (Mister Sweeny); Mister Bowen was absent.

What passed: the rate ordinance as presented on second reading (including the $21 flat surcharge and $7 per 1,000-gallon component for extended-line customers). Council members said the changes are necessary to support sewer and stormwater projects and staff work.

Next steps: the ordinance is enacted as adopted; staff and Public Works will implement the rate adjustments and continue public communication about how revenue will be used.