Waukee staff proposes small increases to water, sewer, stormwater and solid-waste rates; council advances first readings

City staff presented a set of proposed utility-rate adjustments on April 20 and the council moved the ordinances forward on first reading.

Rudy (city staff/engineer/finance presenter) summarized each proposal. On water rates Rudy said, "It's a proposed 1% increase to our water rates for this coming fiscal year of 2027," citing a 14-cent increase in the base charge and a 10-cent increase per additional 1,000 gallons, effective July 1, 2026. For sanitary sewer service Rudy described a 1.5% increase to both the base and usage charges that equates to roughly a $5.75 monthly increase for a typical household.

Stormwater changes were described as a phased approach: Rudy said staff recommends year 1 of a three-year phase-in, noting an 8.07% increase for the fund and highlighting the need to fund capital projects and ongoing operations and maintenance. On solid-waste collection Rudy said the single-family charge would rise (to about $23.71) while the multifamily administrative charge would be reduced to $1; he attributed most of the increase to a pass-through of a roughly 60% tipping-fee increase at the Metro West Park landfill, which is reflected in the hauler's costs.

All four ordinances were introduced and approved for first reading and title only; staff and council framed the changes as the result of annual utility deep dives and cost pressures rather than sudden policy shifts. Rudy closed by noting staff will return with final readings and implementation details.

The council's advancement of the measures means the proposals will return for final consideration in a future meeting where public comment and any final amendments may be considered.