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Newberg council unanimously adopts utility rate increases for 2027 and 2028
Summary
The Newberg City Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2026‑4018, approving staff recommendations for multi‑year utility increases: water 5%, wastewater 4.1%, stormwater 4.5% and a 4% transportation utility fee for 2027 and a repeat in 2028 to sustain operations and reduced CIP lists.
After a public hearing on March 16, the Newberg City Council voted unanimously to adopt Resolution 2026‑4018, approving multi‑year rate increases recommended by the Rate Review Committee to sustain current service levels and staffing.
A staff representative summarized the committee’s recommendation: a 5% increase to water rates, a 4.1% increase to wastewater, a 4.5% increase to stormwater and a 4% increase to the transportation utility fee, with the same increases to be applied again in 2028. The staff presentation said the increases represent the minimum needed to sustain operations and maintain staffing levels, noting the city reduced planned CIP projects to limit the increase.
During council deliberations, a councilor observed the increases were essentially breakeven — intended to sustain current services rather than create a surplus. The council then moved and seconded adoption of Resolution 2026‑4018; a roll‑call vote followed with the following recorded votes:
- Councilor McBride: Yes - Councilor Wheatley: Yes - Councilor Yarnell Holloman: Yes - Councilor Kilberg: Yes - Mayor Rosacker: Yes - Councilor Torgerson: Yes - Councilor Carmen: Yes
The motion passed unanimously. The mayor later thanked members of the Rate Review Committee, including Ned Knight, who attended the meeting.
The rate increases will be applied in 2027 and repeated in 2028; staff said without those increases the city would need to cut projects or shift staffing to balance the utility funds.
