Cleveland council adopts resolution to pass special district water and sewer increases to customers

The Cleveland Town Council voted Dec. 11 to adopt a resolution passing through a special service district’s increases in water and sewer charges to town customers.

At a public hearing opened by the presiding speaker (Speaker 1), staff explained that the special service district approved a first-year increase of $0.80 for a 3/4-inch water connection and $0.40 per month for sewer charges, and proposed annual water increases of $0.40 for the next five years. Speaker 2 told the council the increase responds to higher supply and parts costs and is aligned with recent state-level adjustments.

Council members debated whether the town should adopt the full five-year schedule or proceed year-by-year. Members raised concerns about infrastructure costs and the town’s need to align its base rates with the district so the town would not absorb the difference. Speaker 3 moved to adopt the resolution forwarding the district increases; the motion was seconded and approved.

A roll call was recorded on the public tape. Speaker 4 read several names and recorded affirmative votes (“Whitney, yes; Kristen, yes; Shauna, yes”), and Speaker 3 recorded “Court 1, yes.” The tape also captured multiple verbal affirmations from the council. The resolution text provided to the council references the special service district’s resolution authorizing the increases and directs town staff to implement the corresponding changes in local billing.

Council members said the increases will contribute to a rebuilding fund for aging pipes and other infrastructure over time. No amendment to the district’s adopted schedule was recorded in the minutes. The council closed the public hearing before moving on to other business.

The council did not specify an effective date in the discussion beyond the district’s schedule; town staff will execute the billing changes consistent with the district resolution.