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Meridian staff propose $578 per‑ERU water and sewer hookup fee increase; public hearing planned for March
Summary
Director McBain presented a recommended $578 combined increase to connection/assessment fees ($182 water, $396 sewer) using the Loomis method, proposed effective date in June, and said the city will hold a public hearing in March before council votes.
Meridian’s public works director presented a proposal to raise water and wastewater connection (assessment) fees by a combined $578 per equivalent residential unit (ERU) to reflect system replacement value and capacity calculations.
Director McBain told council the increase splits into $182 on the water side and $396 for sewer. He said the city used the Loomis method — a formulaic approach that the city’s legal review and local development community consider defensible in Idaho — to calculate a proportionate buy‑in for new development. McBain proposed that, if council agrees to proceed, the city would notice a public hearing in March and, if approved, make the fee changes effective in June to give developers time to plan.
McBain noted Meridian’s current assessment fees remain below the Treasure Valley average and that staff has already briefed the Building/Contractors Association; he said the association expressed appreciation for the city’s outreach and phased notice. In response to questions, McBain said if the council did not approve the assessment increase, the utilities division would likely need to recover revenue through other rates; he and councilors also discussed whether assessment updates should be consolidated into an annual fee review.
Council directed staff to return with a notice for a March public hearing. No formal vote on the fee change was taken at the session.
