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Northlake approves 5.5% water/sewer rate increase and updates hydrant-meter fee policy
Summary
Council approved a 5.5% adjustment to water and sewer rates to cover rising wholesale costs and adopted changes to the fee schedule for fire-hydrant meters (security deposits and recurring fines) to improve inventory control.
The council approved adjustments to the town’s water and sanitary-sewer fee schedule and adopted a policy change for fire-hydrant meters used by builders.
A utilities staff presenter summarized NewGen's rate study and said wholesale water and sewer costs are driving a recommended 5.5% rate increase, with the change to be reflected in January billing. "Wholesale costs are projected to go up about 11% overall," the presenter said, and the proposed rate change is intended to keep the town funded for operations, debt obligations and capital-improvement projects.
Council voted to approve the rate adjustment after questions about revenue and reserve targets. The council also adopted a hydrant-meter policy that keeps a $3,000 security deposit per meter and adds a recurring monthly penalty ($350/month) to encourage timely return or renewal of the six‑month builder agreements; staff said meters cost about $3,000 each to replace and the deposit covers that cost if a meter is not returned.
Council agreed the intent of the hydrant-meter policy is inventory control to avoid repeated replacement costs; staff will monitor compliance and report as needed.
