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Finance staff outlines 19% proposed water-rate increase, shows modest monthly impact for typical households
Summary
The proposed budget includes a proposed 19% increase to water consumption rates; staff presented examples showing small monthly increases for typical households (about $0.88 for low users, $4.72 for a medium household and $17.70 for very high users) and noted adjustments to fees and the police fleet lease plan.
Finance staff presented the proposed municipal budget and called attention to a proposed 19 percent increase in water consumption rates intended to address operating needs. The presentation included example bills for three consumption levels: 750 gallons (low), 4,000 gallons (medium) and 15,000 gallons (high).
Staff said the increase would raise a low-consumption household’s bill by about $0.88 per month, a medium household by about $4.72 per month and a high-consumption account by about $17.70 per month. “So everyone, kinda is taken aback by a 19% increase but it's really not that much because it's only the water,” finance staff said while urging the council to clarify that the change applies to consumption rates rather than sewer fees or surcharges.
Council members discussed the optics and noted that while the percentage increase sounds large, the per-household impact is modest for typical users; staff also flagged that fee changes (rather than consumption charges) drive more significant bill changes for some customers.
On fleet planning, staff said they revised a police fleet lease approach: instead of eight new leases, the city will extend four existing leases and add one new vehicle, changing the replacement cadence from five to eight years where feasible.
Next steps: the budget and associated ordinances will proceed to public hearing and second reading at the next council meeting.
