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Shawnee approves CPI-based increases to water, sewer and sanitation rates
Summary
The City Commission approved a 2.7% water and sewer rate increase and allowed a CPI pass-through for the city's waste contractor, raising monthly sanitation fees; the changes take effect July 1, 2026, and were adopted as routine budget items.
The Shawnee City Commission voted to raise utility rates on measures staff said are needed to keep pace with inflation and contract costs.
Casey, the city's director of utilities, told commissioners staff is proposing a 2.7% increase to water and sewer rates effective July 1, 2026, based on Consumer Price Index categories relevant to maintenance and vehicle costs. "Staff is requesting consideration of a 2.7% increase to water and sewer rates effective July 1, 2026," Casey said, and asked commissioners to approve the resolution. The commission approved the measure (motion carried as recorded in the meeting).
On solid waste, Casey said the city's contract with Central Disposal includes a CPI clause capped at 3.5% and that the contractor had exercised that clause. Staff presented a breakdown of monthly sanitation changes, including a $0.70 monthly increase for a small polycart and $0.88 for a large polycart; staff requested the changes take effect July 1, 2026. The commission approved the solid-waste rate resolution.
Commissioners described the votes as difficult but routine steps to avoid larger, less predictable increases later. One commissioner said adopting CPI-based adjustments periodically helps avoid a single large increase in the future.
The resolutions were presented as annual housekeeping and budget-stability measures; the staff report included comparisons to CPI categories, contract terms and recommended effective dates. The commission did not request further study; the items passed in the same meeting.
Next steps: the new rates are effective July 1, 2026, per the staff presentation. Citizens seeking details on the exact monthly bill changes were directed to the utilities department for the official rate schedules and billing examples.
