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Center City council approves 2026 water, sewer and stormwater rate increases
Summary
The Center City Council voted unanimously to raise water, sewer and stormwater charges for 2026, citing increased costs and system repairs. The increases take effect Jan. 1; residents will be notified in the city newsletter.
The Center City Council on Jan. 6 approved increases to municipal water, sewer and stormwater charges for 2026, citing additional costs, repairs and preventative maintenance.
Councilmember Mark Wolcott, representing the Budget Committee, presented the proposed changes and said they were needed to cover expenses. On a motion by Councilmember Sally Swanson, seconded by Wolcott, the council approved the package unanimously (Ayes-5). The changes are effective Jan. 1; the city clerk will notify residents in the regular newsletter.
Key changes approved include: water unit charge rising from $40 to $47 per quarter (includes the first 8,000 gallons); the overage rate increasing from $1.75 to $2.25 per 1,000 gallons; the pumphouse fee moving from $5 to $6.50 per quarter; the technology fee from $6 to $7.50 per quarter; sewer unit charge increasing from $55 to $62 per quarter; sewer treatment charge rising from $4.10 to $4.75 per 1,000 gallons; and stormwater fee doubling from $3 to $6 per quarter.
The council recorded the motion as made by Swanson and seconded by Wolcott. The vote was recorded as Ayes-5 (Boulineau, Swanson, Behnke, Wolcott, Vetter); Nays-0. The council did not record further conditions or tiered relief for low-income households during the meeting.
The Budget Committee framed the increases as necessary to maintain system reliability and cover recent repairs. Additional details on the billing adjustment and timing will be included in the city newsletter to residents.
