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Mendota Heights council adopts sanitary and stormwater rate adjustments for 2026
Summary
The City Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2026-26 (sanitary sewer) and Resolution 2026-24 (stormwater) to adjust utility billing rates beginning in 2026; officials said the increases rebuild fund balances and support pipe improvements, pond maintenance, and other capital needs.
The Mendota Heights City Council on May 19 adopted two separate rate adjustments for utility funds to strengthen reserves and fund capital and maintenance needs.
Public Works Director Ryan Ruzek described the sanitary sewer rate increase underlying RESOLUTION 2026-26 and explained that treatment costs are the largest driver; he said reducing infiltration into the system helps lower flow and treatment costs and described prior pipe improvements made during the Friendly Hills road project. Councilor Maczko pressed on options to reduce infiltration, and Ruzek said the City identifies high-infiltration areas and makes targeted repairs.
Council then adopted RESOLUTION 2026-26 authorizing sanitary sewer usage rates beginning in 2026 (motion by Councilor Lorberbaum; second by Councilor Mazzitello). The Council discussed fund balances and noted that previous long gaps between rate adjustments had created a large deficit 17 years earlier that required a more than 40% increase to correct; incremental, analytic-based increases are intended to avoid that outcome.
On stormwater, Ruzek said storm utility funds are used for installing additional pipe during road projects, for pond maintenance, and to spread those costs across the community rather than assess individual residents. The Council adopted RESOLUTION 2026-24 authorizing stormwater utility rates starting in 2026 (motion by Councilor Lorberbaum; second by Councilor Mazzitello). Mayor Levine said planned expenditures will improve sustainability and water quality.
Votes at the meeting on these two resolutions were unanimous (5-0). The Council did not specify exact per-account fund balances or dollar amounts for each rate change in the meeting transcript; those details are in the formal resolutions and staff reports referenced by the Council.
