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Willard council tables proposed multi‑year water and sewer rate increases for more study
Summary
After a lengthy discussion comparing Willard’s utility costs to neighboring towns and reviewing debt and labor drivers, the council voted to table Resolution 25‑13 (multi‑year water and sewer rate increases) until August so staff can provide comparative data and alternatives.
Willard, Utah — The Willard City Council on July 10 paused a proposal to raise water and sewer base rates over several years after councilmembers said they needed more data to justify the increases.
City staff presented Resolution 25‑13, which would raise the monthly water base rate from $25 to $37 per account effective Jan. 1, then add $2 per account each year for five years; sewer’s base rate would rise from $68 to $86 per account beginning Jan. 1, 2026, and then increase by $5 each year for five years. The schedule, as summarized to the council, was intended to give residents time to budget for the changes.
Councilmember Jordan led the push for further study. “I would have to vote no on it because I don’t feel comfortable without the information about those things,” Jordan said, asking staff to produce comparisons with similar cities and an analysis of labor, debt and depreciation impacts. Jordan cited local examples and said Willard’s combined bills appeared substantially higher than comparable towns.
Other councilmembers agreed the sewer plant’s operating costs, staffing and debt service — including balloon payments in the financing schedule — likely drive a large share of the difference, and recommended a narrower, transparent breakdown for residents. City staff said labor and depreciation are substantial drivers and that impact fees and debt‑service timing could be reallocated to lower near‑term rate pressure.
After extended discussion about alternatives — including using impact fees differently, staging depreciation, or preparing three funding scenarios (low, medium and conservative) — Jordan moved to table Resolution 25‑13 until the August meeting so staff could prepare a clearer package for the public and the council. The motion, seconded by Mike, carried on a roll call vote.
Next steps: staff agreed to assemble comparative rate data, a breakdown of the city’s labor and debt costs for water and sewer, and at least two alternative funding scenarios for publication in the city newsletter prior to the August meeting.
