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Fergus Falls approves 2026 utility rate increases; average residential bill rises about $7.05
Summary
Council approved a package of 2026 utility rate changes: garbage +4%, disposal +8%, recycling +$0.50, sewer and water +5%, and a $1 stormwater increase, producing an estimated monthly residential increase of about $7.05 based on 6,000 gallons of usage.
The Fergus Falls City Council on Feb. 2 approved a set of 2026 changes to utility and landfill fees that will modestly raise typical residential bills.
City finance staff summarized the package: garbage service rates will increase 4 percent; disposal fees (what the city pays to dispose of waste) will increase about 8 percent; recycling service will rise by $0.50 (from $8 to $8.50); sewer and water charges will increase 5 percent; and the stormwater flat charge will increase by $1 (a 10 percent rise, from $10 to $11). Staff calculated the typical residential monthly bill would rise about $7.05 based on a usage assumption of 6,000 gallons.
Finance staff noted the 6,000‑gallon benchmark is used for comparative purposes and may be higher than many customers’ actual winter usage. The changes to the landfill fee schedule (tire disposal, bypass hauling charges to out‑of‑state landfills and other per‑item fees) will be implemented promptly if the council’s action stands.
The council voted to approve the resolution, with staff saying most of the new charges take effect for bills issued in February (with sewer rates adjusted in April to reflect winter monthly averages). Council members said the package was reviewed in detail at a prior work session.
Next step: staff will implement the updated landfill fee schedule in the coming days and update billing systems for the February billings.
