Staff proposes $4 monthly increase to Mantua base water rate; public hearing to be scheduled

A staff member presented a proposal to increase Mantua's water rates to improve the town's ability to fund maintenance, meet state depreciation-account requirements and position the town for lower-interest financing.

The staff member outlined the proposal: raise the monthly base rate from $31 to $35 and increase tiered per-thousand-gallon charges (for example, tier 1 from $1.25 to $1.50). She said 69% of customers fall into the base-rate category over a year and that higher-volume users would pay proportionally more under the tiered structure.

"So the proposal is to increase the base rate by $4... so that'd go to $35 for the base rate," the staff member said. She explained the increases would fund depreciation, maintenance of tanks, pumps and pipes, and that maintaining those funds helps secure lower borrowing costs when major projects are needed. The staff member added that drought-season or emergency rates were possible in future years but were not proposed now.

Council members asked how the tier calculations are applied and whether the percentage breakdowns represent monthly or annual usage patterns; the staff member explained averages are based on annual consumption and that many customers drop into upper tiers during the higher-use months. The council did not vote; the staff member said a public hearing will be held and that the council will consider the rate ordinance at a future meeting, before July if necessary to align with budget timing.

The council discussed timing of the July meeting and how the budget could incorporate the proposed rates; staff said if the rates are not approved, the budget can be amended in a subsequent month.

A public hearing and formal vote on the rate changes are planned before the council adopts any ordinance.