Orrville council advances administrative order to raise wastewater rates starting Jan. 1, 2026

Orrville — The Orrville City Council moved Administrative Order 1‑25 to fourth reading on Nov. 3, 2025, a step that advances a proposal to change the city’s wastewater rates.

Council member Gaur moved to place the administrative order on fourth reading; the motion was seconded and approved by the council without further discussion. During the reading, the order’s text states that wastewater rates will increase “by 7 and 1 half percent beginning 01/01/2026.” The reading also referenced further annual adjustments but the transcript’s wording about those subsequent increases was unclear.

The council did not take a final adoption vote on the order that night; the action taken was to move the measure forward in the review process. Council members did not expand on the formula or implementation timeline beyond the language read aloud.

Why it matters: A citywide wastewater-rate increase affects residential and commercial utility customers; even a single-digit percentage rise can change monthly household bills and utility fund projections. Council consideration on fourth reading typically precedes a final vote or additional amendments.

What was said: Gaur introduced the measure and the order was read to the council. The text read included the phrase, “By 7 and 1 half percent beginning 01/01/2026,” language the clerk read aloud as part of the administrative order.

What’s next: The order was advanced to a later reading for further consideration. Council staff or the finance director are expected to provide detailed rate schedules, bill‑impact estimates and a clear description of any annual indexing before a final vote.

(Reporting note: the transcript contains inconsistent phrasing about the amount and timing of additional annual increases; the council’s reading was preserved verbatim in this report. A staff memo or a future meeting packet should supply the precise schedule.)