Cascade City council approves first reading of water-rate increase ordinance

Cascade City Council approved the first reading of Ordinance 25-24 on Dec. 9, 2024, a proposal that would raise the monthly meter charge and increase per-1,000-gallon water rates as part of an effort to stabilize the city’s water fund.

City staff (Speaker 3) told the council the finance committee recommended changes including a proposed meter charge of $17 per month (up from $13.33), a uniform per-1,000-gallon charge of $3.50 (up from $2.42) and an increase in bulk water sales to $37.50 per 1,000 gallons. “We will have our meter charge proposed at $17 a month and … have the per 1,000 gallons at 3.50,” Speaker 3 said while describing the committee’s recommendation and the rationale that the water fund has been running negative.

Several councilmembers and attendees questioned household impacts. One participant (Speaker 2) noted the effect on larger families and estimated a family could see “potentially, like, a $25 a month increase,” and asked the city to consider smaller, phased increases rather than a single larger jump. Another attendee (Speaker 5) framed the charge in everyday terms, saying the combined water and sewer average for a two-person household would amount to about $90 — “$3 a day” — and urged the council to weigh that service-level perspective.

Staff said some of the increase reflects aging infrastructure and the need to build a reserve for unforeseen repairs; Speaker 3 also referenced old water mains that will require replacement at some point. The ordinance is the first of three readings required by the city code. After discussion, a motion to approve the first reading was moved, seconded and carried by roll call vote; the ordinance will return to the council for additional readings before final adoption.

No implementation date was set at first reading, and the council did not vote on final adoption during the Dec. 9 meeting.