Beresford council approves phased surcharge to finance Lewis and Clark water allocation

The Beresford City Council voted to adopt Resolution 2026-05, a surcharge to finance the city's increased allocation from the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System. The council set a phased surcharge schedule: $5 per dwelling unit beginning March 1, 2026; $7.45 per unit starting Jan. 1, 2027; and $8.50 per unit beginning Jan. 1, 2028.

Why it matters: Council members said the phased surcharge spreads the cost over multiple years and the committee designed the charge to hit dwelling units rather than meters so multifamily properties pay per dwelling rather than once per building. The city estimates about 200 dwelling units initially will be assessed the surcharge under the dwelling-unit approach.

Council discussion and rationale: speakers said the surcharge replaces or continues portions of previous Lewis and Clark-related charges and that the committee sought to keep annual jumps modest for residents. Councilors discussed future options including wheeling or selling excess allocation to other cities as a revenue-offset strategy.

Implementation details: the surcharge applies per dwelling unit (exceptions retained for multifamily/manufactured-home parks served through a single meter where the committee clarified how counts will be applied). Staff said the surcharge will begin appearing on utility bills after March 1, and committee leaders signaled intent to review the charge in future years as water wheeling opportunities or other funding options are pursued.

The resolution passed after discussion and a roll-call-style agreement; council members present voted in favor and the motion carried. The council requested staff continue to examine long-term options to mitigate costs for citizens as water infrastructure investments proceed.