Minnetrista Council approves Ordinance 506 to shift most water customers to monthly billing, effective July 1

The Minnetrista City Council on June 15 approved Ordinance 506, updating the city’s utility fees and moving most customers on municipal water to monthly billing beginning July 1, 2026.

City Administrator Jasper Krugal, who presented the ordinance to the council, said the change was discussed during the council’s work session and budget process and is intended in part to help fund the city’s new water treatment plant. "We had talked about this item at during the work session as well as during the 2026 budget process," Krugal said, and described it as a phased change that updates base rates and usage tiers while switching city-water customers from quarterly to monthly billing.

Explaining how billing will change, Krugal said, "So, anybody that's not on city water will continue to get quarterly billing... Those that are on city water will get a monthly bill starting July 1st." He added that customers’ last quarterly bill will cover April–June usage and that the first monthly bill will cover July usage.

Councilmember Kathleen Refkin moved the ordinance and Peter Vickery seconded. The council approved Ordinance 506 by unanimous voice vote (5–0).

At the same meeting the council also adopted a resolution authorizing publication of Ordinance 506 by title and summary; that motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: the ordinance raises utility revenue modestly and changes billing cadence for most water customers, both steps officials said are designed to align revenue with operating and capital needs, including the treatment plant now under construction. Krugal noted the city’s water rates remain lower than many neighboring communities and emphasized that the city delivers "clean healthy drinkable water from your faucet."

Votes at a glance - Motion to approve consent agenda items A–H (minutes, claims, EAW finding for property south of Highway 7 at 7635 State Highway 7, election judge appointments, sanitary sewer lining project bid authorization, street improvement task order 18, temporary liquor license for Northwest Tonk Alliance, hire two seasonal public works employees): moved, seconded, approved by voice vote (5–0). - Ordinance 506 (water utility fee update; monthly billing effective July 1, 2026): moved by Kathleen Refkin, seconded by Peter Vickery; approved by voice vote (5–0). - Resolution to publish Ordinance 506 by title and summary: moved and seconded; approved by voice vote (5–0).

What council said next: staff noted the change will produce more frequent billing cycles for customers on city water and a slight rate increase to help cover infrastructure costs. The council did not request further study before passage; staff will implement the billing change with the July cycle.

The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for July 20, 2026, when administrative follow-ups will be brought to the body.