Council approves broad fee changes including 7% water and 6% sewer increases; drainage up $1/month

City Finance Director Ted Chen presented proposed changes to the municipal code fee schedule and related appendices, noting staff recommended many technical updates and fee adjustments that typically take effect Oct. 1. Key adjustments include a residential drainage charge increase from $5 to $6 per month (20%), commercial drainage to 18¢ per 100 sq ft of impervious cover (up from 15¢), a roughly 7% increase in water customer service charges to pass along costs from the North Texas Municipal Water District, and a roughly 6% sewer charge increase.

Chen emphasized that water and sewer enterprise funds are set to recover costs rather than generate profit: "We're not making a profit as they say. The only reason we're increasing is because the North Texas Municipal Water District increased it on us," he said. Council took public comment from residents worried about household impacts. After questions from councilmembers about the county water district’s increases and fee modeling, the council voted to approve item 14 (first reading) unanimously.

Why it matters: These fee changes affect monthly household utility bills and commercial development charges across Mesquite. Staff tied the water increase to wholesale cost changes and noted other fee adjustments across parks, airport, and solid waste items included in the ordinance.

Next steps: The item passed on council action tonight; staff said the ordinance will be part of the formal adoption process and that fees are typically effective Oct. 1. Residents wanting more information were directed to staff for consumption‑based billing details and to the city website for the redline exhibits.

Sources: Staff presentation by Ted Chen and public comment recorded during the Sept. 2, 2025 council meeting.