Gallatin council approves water/sewer rate ordinance and funds for infrastructure projects

The Gallatin City Council on Jan. 6 approved a string of ordinances and appropriations affecting utilities and capital projects, including a first-reading of water and sewer rates, a $940,000 purchase of land for a water treatment plant, and project-specific appropriations for stormwater and gas-line work.

Councilman Carter introduced an ordinance to amend water and sewer rates. During discussion, city finance/staff (Mr. Kellogg) told council that moving irrigation meter charges into volumetric rates would increase rates by roughly $0.27 per CCF based on fiscal‑year 2024 data and by more than $0.50 per CCF based on 2025 year‑to‑date figures. Councilman Gervontz and others argued the meter charge is perceived as unfair by some customers who do not use irrigation meters; an amendment to remove the irrigation meter charge died for lack of a second. The ordinance passed on a roll call showing six in favor and one abstention.

On capital items, council approved a first reading authorizing $940,000 from 2025 bond proceeds for purchase of land for a water treatment plant. Other project approvals on the agenda included a $750,000 appropriation for the Blythe Avenue stormwater project and a $2,000,000 authorization from natural-gas reserves for annual gas-line construction. Council also approved an ordinance updating water tap and installation fees and utility service-extension regulations.

What happens next: The water and sewer rates ordinance proceeds as scheduled (with the effective date adjustment completed during the meeting); staff will return with implementation details as needed for billing changes tied to meter-charge policy.