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Council schedules public hearing on proposed water-fee code changes for outside-city customers
Summary
Council discussed amending code that treats customers outside Wellsville city limits differently for water fees, acknowledged state statute limits, and voted to continue the discussion at the next meeting with a public hearing to follow.
Councilmembers discussed changing city code that has charged higher water rates for customers living outside Wellsville’s municipal limits and agreed to bring a code amendment and public hearing to the next meeting.
Scott Wells said "state statute does not allow that, just a blanket to say that we charge a certain amount outside the city limits," explaining the city must identify a justification—such as extra pumping costs or infrastructure upkeep—if it intends to impose higher charges on outside customers. Council members asked whether neighborhoods with higher pumping costs could be assessed differently and whether keeping a higher outside-city rate created an incentive or disincentive for annexation.
After discussing potential justifications and enforcement issues, the council moved to continue the discussion and post a public hearing for the next meeting so residents can ask questions and comment formally. Council staff said the public hearing will provide a recorded opportunity for affected property owners and others to weigh in before any code change is adopted.
