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Philomath council approves utility rate increases effective July 1, 2025
Summary
Council voted unanimously to raise base water and sewer rates by 10% and storm rates by 5%, with an effective date of July 1, 2025, citing rising PERS, salary and CIP costs.
Philomath — The City Council on April 14 approved new utility rates that increase the base rate for water and sewer by 10% and raise storm charges by 5%, with the increases effective July 1, 2025.
Finance staff presented the proposal and the assumptions behind it: a $2.6 million CIP allocation, anticipated PERS and salary changes, and a goal to stabilize fund balances. "What we're projecting, we're going to increase the base rate to 10% for the water and the sewer and the bottom length by 5%," the finance presenter explained during the discussion.
Councilor Casement moved to adopt the rates and Councilor Salsa seconded. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote. The council directed staff to reflect the changes in the upcoming budget and noted a future independent rate study will provide more detailed analysis.
Councilors said they sought to protect low‑income customers and retain a proportional differential for those accounts. The council also agreed to round adopted fees per the packet language.
The adopted effective date is July 1, 2025; specific customer notices and updated fee tables will be published by the finance department before that date.
