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Denton trustees adopt phased water and sewer rate increases through 2029
Summary
The Village of Denton Board of Trustees on April 6 adopted Ordinance Nos. 26-2-1 and 26-2-2, raising monthly water and sewer charges with staged increases through April 30, 2029; a rate consultant had recommended a larger immediate sewer increase to fully cover costs.
The Village of Denton Board of Trustees voted April 6 to adopt two ordinances raising monthly water and sewer service charges, approving Ordinance No. 26-2-1 (water) and Ordinance No. 26-2-2 (sewer) with unanimous votes of the trustees present.
The measures set the residential and commercial water service charge at $85 per month plus $12 per 1,000 gallons for May 1, 2026–April 30, 2027, rising to $92 monthly in 2027–28 and $103 in 2028–29, with incremental per‑1,000‑gallon charges thereafter. The sewer ordinance establishes a $55 monthly service charge for May 1, 2026–April 30, 2027, increasing to $63 in 2027–28 and $71 in 2028–29.
Why it matters: Randy Hellbusch of the Nebraska Rural Water Association, who presented the rate study to the board, said the sewer system serves 94 users and that the existing $47 flat sewer rate “would need to increase to approximately $70 to adequately cover expenses.” Hellbusch walked trustees through primary cost drivers including testing, wages, electricity and treatment maintenance fees, and he recommended the village update its rate study every two years.
Board action: Trustees read Ordinance 26-2-1 and Ordinance 26-2-2 by title, then voted unanimously to waive the state three‑reading requirement and advance both ordinances. Trustee Amanda Fangmeier moved to read and approve the water ordinance; Doug Rosekrans seconded. The same pattern of motions and unanimous votes applied to the sewer ordinance. Four trustees were present and voted in favor; one trustee was recorded as absent.
What trustees said: The board discussed the consultant’s recommendations during the presentation and proceeded with staged increases rather than adopting the consultant’s higher immediate sewer‑rate figure. Hellbusch urged periodic review of rates to ensure the utilities cover operating and capital needs.
Next steps and effective dates: Both ordinances specify the May 1, 2026 start of the first rate period and include staged increases through April 30, 2029, as written in the ordinances adopted by the board.
Provenance: This article draws on the board presentation and ordinance readings appearing in the meeting transcript between SEG 002 and SEG 004. The consultant presentation and the board’s adoption actions are recorded in those segments.
