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Severance council adopts 2026 budget, approves 4% water/sewer rate increase and fee changes
Summary
Council adopted the 2026 budget, passed appropriations and certified the town's 2026 property tax levy; members approved a 4% water and wastewater rate increase (matching North Weld County Water District) and added a minor-subdivision application fee to the town fee schedule.
The Severance Town Council on Dec. 9 adopted the town's 2026 budget and approved related resolutions to implement the plan, including a 4% increase to water and wastewater rates and a new minor-subdivision application fee.
Town manager Nick Wharton told the council the 4% water and sewer increase aligns with North Weld County Water District's rate change and followed recommendations from the town's rate and impact-fee study. "As we have discussed at several meetings... the proposed for the water and wastewater rates are a 4% increase," Wharton said during the staff presentation.
Council adopted Resolution 2025-52R (water/wastewater rates), Resolution 2025-53R (fee schedule updates, including the minor subdivision application fee for administrative review of subdivisions under eight lots), Resolution 2025-54R (2026 budget adoption), and Resolution 2025-55R (appropriations implementing the budget). Council also certified the 2026 property tax levy by adopting Resolution 2025-56R; staff said there was no change to the mill levy itself.
Council members discussed budget assumptions and noted staff budgeted for a $600,000 anticipated revenue shortfall; council praised staff for limiting impacts to public services and for not adding new headcount. One councilor commended the budget team and said the town's revenue per full-time-equivalent compared favorably with neighboring jurisdictions.
Votes at a glance:
- Resolution 2025-52R (water/wastewater rates, 4% increase): adopted (roll call unanimous)
- Resolution 2025-53R (fee schedule updates, add minor subdivision fee): adopted (roll call unanimous)
- Resolution 2025-54R (2026 budget adoption): adopted (roll call unanimous)
- Resolution 2025-55R (budget appropriations): adopted (roll call unanimous)
- Resolution 2025-56R (certify property tax levy): adopted (roll call unanimous)
What this means: The 4% increase to water and wastewater rates will be applied consistent with the town's billing and ordinance framework; the minor-subdivision fee formalizes an administrative pathway for subdivisions of fewer than eight lots. The adopted budget and appropriations authorize staff to move forward with the town's 2026 spending plan while monitoring revenues against the $600,000 assumed shortfall.
Attribution: Reporting in this article is based on staff presentations and the council's roll-call votes as recorded in the Dec. 9 Severance Town Council meeting transcript. Direct quotes come from Nick Wharton (town manager) and council comments during deliberations.
