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Paris council adopts 2.75% retail water-rate increase, approves code and subdivision changes
Summary
The Paris City Council voted 5-0 to adopt a 2.75% increase to retail water rates and approved a package of zoning and subdivision ordinance amendments, including a new 'cottage industry' use and a detention-pond compliance program; council also approved a residential tax-abatement for a 10-home infill project.
The Paris City Council on June 22 approved a 2.75% increase to retail water rates and a set of zoning and subdivision changes aimed at clarifying land uses and maintenance responsibilities.
Staff finance presenter Mr. Marriott told the council the 2026 rate study recommended a 2.75% increase for retail water customers and ‘‘this would result in approximately a $112 increase on a 5,000-gallon residential customer.’’ He said wastewater rates will not increase this year. Council approved the ordinance implementing retail water-rate changes by a 5-0 vote.
Council discussion included expressed constituent concern about high utility bills. One council member said many citizens have contacted them to note that "water rates are high," urging staff to continue seeking cost-saving options. Mr. Marriott responded that staff and the consultants had evaluated alternatives and that contract customer rates already went into effect as part of the study.
In a single meeting the council also adopted several code updates: a zoning-text amendment to add the use "cottage industry" (permitted in light and heavy industrial districts and allowed by special use permit in commercial districts), a detention-and-retention-pond compliance program to establish inspection and maintenance requirements for stormwater ponds, a limited exception to the city's building-site requirements for certain owner-occupied additions (preserving platting authority where land division occurs), and a Technical Standards Manual and associated engineering standard details intended as a single reference for designers and engineers. Each ordinance passed on a voice vote of 5-0.
The council approved a residential tax-abatement and economic development agreement with R4U Ventures LLC (referred in materials as R4U Rentals A2 LLC, Series E) for a five-and-five infill project to build 10 single-family homes on city block 234, lots 27–36; staff estimated the project value at about $2 million. That resolution passed 5-0.
The council continued, without action, a petition by James O'Brien, DVM, requesting rezoning from SF2 to GR with a specific-use permit for a large-animal veterinary clinic at 3147 Bottom Street; staff republished notices ahead of the continued hearing.
What happens next: Many ordinances adopted will require administrative follow-up by staff (inspection program setup, TSM dissemination, and implementation details for cottage-industry permits). The zoning petition for the veterinary clinic was explicitly continued to a future meeting for additional consideration.
