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Council advances proposal for 3% water and sewer rate increase and $2 paper‑bill fee
Summary
Council directed staff to move forward a package that would raise water and sewer rates by 3%, begin a $2 paper‑billing fee on Sept. 1, and pass credit‑card convenience fees to customers while keeping free payment options; staff cited 92 water breaks in 2025 and rising costs as drivers.
City staff presented a proposal in the May 14 work session to increase water and sewer rates by 3%, add a $2 paper statement fee to encourage electronic billing (staff recommended the paper fee start Sept. 1 to give customers time to switch), and to pass credit‑card convenience fees to customers while maintaining free options such as bank draft, check or cash.
Allison Boyd (City Treasurer/finance staff) explained the paper‑statement proposal: "We're proposing in this year's increases to do a $2 paper fee. So anybody that would have a paper bill mailed to them would be charged that $2 fee to kind of encourage those e statements." Staff said the city would continue to absorb bank‑draft costs and provide free alternatives.
Staff further said the city repaired 92 water breaks in 2025 and that fuel and other operating costs have risen, framing those as drivers for a modest 3% increase. Sean, a staff member, summarized the rate proposal: "We're proposing a 3% rate increase," and council members asked that staff communicate changes clearly to customers, including postcards and outreach through the water office.
Council did not adopt the increases at the work session; members agreed to move the proposal forward to the next regular meeting for formal consideration with recommended customer outreach and related materials.
