Committee approves 2026 sewer and stormwater rate increases; landfill fee unchanged
Summary
The Finance Committee approved setting 2026 rates: landfill fee remains $0.50 per month; sanitary sewer rates will increase about 2.7% (roughly $1+ per month for the average residential customer) because Madison Metro Sewerage District treatment charges rose; stormwater rates rise about 2.3% (about $0.29 per month).
Madison’s Finance Committee voted unanimously April 13 to amend the 2026 operating budget and set rates for three utilities: sanitary sewer, stormwater, and the landfill fee.
Engineer Wolf (joined by financial manager Steve Dana Rivers) told members the landfill fee will remain unchanged at $0.50 per month. For the sanitary sewer utility, staff proposed a roughly 2.7% increase for an average residential customer — described as “a dollar and some change per month” — citing higher treatment charges from the Madison Metro Sewerage District as the primary driver. The stormwater utility proposal calls for a 2.3% increase, equivalent to about $0.29 per month for the average residential customer.
Engineer Wolf explained that the city bases rates on budgeted costs, revenues, and reserves and that maintaining healthy reserves supports good bond ratings, particularly for sewer debt. The committee recorded a unanimous vote in favor of the rate adjustments.
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