Board forwards proposed 2026 water and sewer rate changes to Marietta council; water policy updates pass 4‑1

The Board of Lights and Water voted to forward several rate recommendations and policy changes to the Marietta City Council and approved staff policy updates for water service rates.

A Budget and Rate Committee representative told the board the committee recommended a 5% fiscal‑year 2026 increase for electric rates (with phased increases through 2030 up to 6% to support infrastructure). The board agreed to pass the committee’s recommendations on to the full council for formal action.

On water rates, staff presented proposed policy changes (policy 3.2 on water service rates and policy 3.24 on monthly minimums) and recommended the changes take effect Jan. 1. The motion to approve those policy changes passed by a recorded voice vote of 4‑1. The committee representative described the change as “the water rates roughly 5% past due from roughly from our wholesaler to our customers.”

For sewer, committee members proposed a revised policy 3.22 reflecting a roughly 3.5% wholesale pass‑through increase from Cobb County Water and Sewer; the board moved to send that revised policy to the council and the motion carried (vote recorded as 4‑0‑1).

The board’s votes forwarded the proposals to city council for final approval; no final rate ordinances were adopted by the board during the meeting.