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Vienna council approves proposed water and sewer rates, including a $2 quarterly service‑charge increase
Summary
After a public hearing and resident comments about billing fairness, the Vienna Town Council voted 6–1 to approve proposed FY2025–26 water and sewer rate changes — a 7.25% volumetric increase and a $2 increase to the quarterly fixed service charge — and directed the clerk to advertise adoption at the May 19 meeting.
The Vienna Town Council approved proposed water and sewer rates for FY2025–26 at its April 7 meeting and directed staff to advertise adoption at the May 19 council meeting.
Finance Director Stephen Barlow and Public Works Director Brad Baer presented the rate package, explaining drivers that include a 10% wholesale increase from Fairfax Water, pass‑through costs for PFAS treatment, increased sewer treatment costs, and regional wage pressures. Barlow said the town’s manager had proposed a 7.25% increase to both water and sewer volumetric rates and a $2 quarterly increase in the fixed service charge, from $40 to $42, to help balance fund expenses.
“Residents and businesses are charged less based on the amount that they use or more if they use more,” Barlow said during the presentation, describing the town’s block‑rate structure and the planned radio‑read meter rollout across 9,500 connections to improve billing accuracy.
Council members asked technical and consumer‑protection questions. Baer said Vienna is a wholesale customer of Fairfax Water, which treats raw water; the town performs distribution testing and is responsible for reporting and corrective actions if a sample fails state or federal standards. Staff said PFAS testing requires special procedures and is sampled on a schedule.
During public comment, resident Jack Torok of a four‑unit condominium at 207 Park Street Unit D described a roughly $300 quarterly service charge for his building and asked the town to ensure multifamily properties are billed equitably. Jason Goff asked whether the town offers a public option to buy submeters, what the $1,830 submeter fee covers and what sewer‑savings homeowners could expect.
Council member Springsteen moved to approve the water and sewer rates and fees as presented and to direct the clerk to advertise intent to adopt at the May 19 meeting; the motion passed on roll call 6–1 (Council member Allen recorded a Nay). Staff said the town offers payment plans, leak adjustments and referrals to nonprofit assistance programs but that a targeted relief program would require a council directive and budget allocation.
What’s next: The council will consider a final adoption vote on May 19, 2025. Staff will follow up on residents’ questions about multifamily meter billing and the submeter program.
