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Mount Airy council adopts 8% water and sewer rate increase, promises long-term rate review
Summary
The Mount Airy Town Council adopted amended ordinance 2025-19, approving an 8% across‑the‑board water and sewer rate increase effective with the Dec. 22 billing cycle while staff and the Water & Sewer Commission develop a long‑term rate-structure proposal for early 2026.
The Mount Airy Town Council voted to adopt ordinance 2025-19 as amended, approving an 8% across‑the‑board increase in water and sewer charges beginning with the billing cycle that starts Dec. 22. Council members said the increase is an interim measure while the town develops a modified rate structure to restore reserves and ensure the system’s financial sustainability.
Council Member Munder, who moved adoption of the amended ordinance, said the Water & Sewer Commission recommended a straight 8% increase in the near term while staff draws up a longer-term plan. “This gets us through the next two billing cycles and gives us time to craft a better rate structure,” Munder said during debate.
Several council members expressed reservations about an across‑the‑board hike. Council Member Kelly called the ordinance a “band‑aid” and said he would prefer to see concrete details of a long‑term plan before raising rates. “I’m not in the mood for a band‑aid,” Kelly said, urging the executive team to produce a timetable and a model showing how reserves will be replenished.
Mayor Hauschauer and other supporters said postponing action would worsen operating shortfalls and that staff and the commission are working on a revised structure to present to council in time for the next budget cycle. The mayor outlined a schedule: staff will present concepts to the Water & Sewer Commission in January, with a draft long‑term ordinance intended for introduction to council in February so any changes can be reflected in the spring budget process.
Council debate included discussion of how tiered rates would interact with a flat increase. Council Member Demoter urged the executive branch to ensure higher‑usage customers and small local businesses receive appropriate consideration in any restructuring. Town staff cautioned that changes to the tiered structure could have unintended consequences for small businesses and that more analysis is needed.
The ordinance text adopted removed multi‑year escalators and implemented a single 8% increase applied beginning Dec. 22; base fees and usage tiers otherwise remain in place until a subsequent ordinance is developed. Council adopted the amended ordinance by voice vote after extended discussion.
The council scheduled a focused timeline for further work: staff will take a concept to the Water & Sewer Commission in January, with the goal of introducing a long‑term ordinance in February and having final figures available for the budget process by April–May. The town clerk and town attorney will circulate clean and redline copies as the draft proceeds.
The ordinance as discussed will be codified as ordinance 2025-19; the transcript does not record the full roll-call tally for named members, only the voice approval of the amended ordinance during the meeting. The Water & Sewer Commission and town staff will return with a detailed proposal in early 2026.
