Highland council adopts sewer-rate increase to cover rising operations and maintenance costs

The Highland City Council voted unanimously on Aug. 5 to adopt Ordinance #3345, amending Section 78-379 of the City of Highland Code of Ordinances to increase sewer rates to support rising operational and maintenance costs.

Public Works Director Joe Gillespie told the council the last scheduled increase took effect in September 2023 under a three-year plan and that the new rate change would add about $1.37 per month for a family of four using 5,000 gallons. Gillespie said the city budgets assuming roughly 3% labor-cost increases and about 2.5% for OEM parts so the adjustments are intended to avoid falling behind on upkeep; he referred to past system failures before 2013 when residents reported backups into homes.

Councilman David Napper (recorded as Napper) questioned the timing and cumulative effect of recent rate increases, saying the city already increased electric and water rates and asking whether Highland should adopt a trigger-based ordinance that automatically passes increases tied to recent cost trends. City Manager Chris Conrad explained the city could present a ‘‘trigger effect’’ option but cautioned it could produce larger, less predictable percentage changes; Mayor Kevin B. Hemann said he preferred retaining council control over adjustments and praised Director Gillespie’s budgeting approach.

The ordinance passed on a roll-call vote with Councilmembers Sloan, Frey, Bellm and Napper recorded as voting aye and no nays.

Next steps: the ordinance was adopted at this meeting and staff said they will brief departments at the next meeting on operational impacts stemming from broader state tax changes referenced elsewhere on the agenda.