Bryan Council approves phased sewer-rate increases after third reading and debate
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Summary
On third reading the Bryan City Council approved Ordinance 4 20 26 to raise residential, commercial and industrial sewer rates in a phased schedule beginning Feb. 20, with annual adjustments through Dec. 20, 2028. Council members said the increases fund $14 million in wastewater plant upgrades and thanked utility staff for long-term planning.
The Bryan City Council voted Feb. 26 to approve Ordinance 4 20 26, a third-reading amendment that changes residential, commercial and industrial sewer rates for customers inside and outside city limits.
Council members and staff described the increase as part of a multi-year plan to fund roughly $14 million in wastewater-plant upgrades, including rehabilitation of aeration tanks, new chemical and control buildings and a new thickener tank. A staff presenter said the ordinance would take effect Feb. 20 if passed, with subsequent annual rate adjustments occurring Dec. 20 in 2026, 2027 and 2028.
"These increases will go through annually, starting February 20," a staff member said while explaining the schedule and the rate study period through 12/20/2028. Council members stressed they had heard little negative feedback from major businesses. "I have not gotten any feedback," one council member said. Another noted, "We're still under what other communities are," arguing the rates remain comparatively competitive.
Council discussion balanced the public sensitivity to rate increases with an emphasis on long-term maintenance. A council member who identified himself as a rate payer said, "Nobody wants to see those increases," but praised wastewater management and engineers for timing projects to avoid premature rehabs.
After discussion the council moved, suspended the rules and approved the ordinance on an affirmative roll-call vote.
What happens next: the ordinance is effective as stated in the reading schedule. The city has said the rate study will govern increases through Dec. 20, 2028 and staff will continue community outreach regarding timing and impacts.