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Pleasant Hill council approves first readings for sewer, waste and stormwater fee increases
Summary
The council approved first readings of four ordinances raising sewer, solid waste, recycling and stormwater fees to cover regional wastewater and waste‑management costs and to fund stormwater maintenance; changes take effect July 1, 2026, with a multi‑year schedule for stormwater.
Pleasant Hill City Manager Ben Champ told the City Council on May 12 that the city must raise several municipal service fees in the adopted FY27 budget to cover regional charges and maintain infrastructure. The council approved first readings of four ordinances that would raise sanitary sewer, solid waste, recycling and stormwater fees, with most changes effective July 1, 2026.
“The rate increase proposed in this ordinance is 7.25% which will increase the base rate from $8.92 to $9.57 per 1,000 gallons and the sewer access charge from $14.96 to $16.05 per unit,” City Manager Ben Champ said, explaining the motion to increase sewer rates to cover Pleasant Hill’s proportionate share of Wastewater Reclamation Authority (WRA) operations, capital improvements and future debt service. Champ said the change will increase the average residential customer’s bill by $1.74 per month and that a combined rate for anticipated flow from Altoona would rise from $12.47 to $13.38 per 1,000 gallons.
Champ also described proposed increases to refuse and recycling fees tied to decisions by the Metro Waste Authority (MWA) and contract adjustments for tipping fees and fuel. The city would raise the 96‑gallon garbage container fee from $12.52 to $13.17 per month and the 48‑gallon container fee from $11.59 to $12.24 (a $0.65 monthly change). The recycling fee would increase from $4.91 to $5.18 per month (a $0.27 monthly change).
For stormwater, Champ said the adopted FY27 budget anticipates a phased schedule: a $0.55 increase effective July 1, 2026, a $1.00 increase on January 1, 2027, another $1.00 on January 1, 2028, and a $0.50 increase on January 1, 2029, to support ongoing maintenance of the stormwater system.
Councilmembers voted unanimously on the first readings. Several members said the timing was necessary to allow Des Moines Water Works and billing systems to implement rate changes before the July 1 effective date.
The ordinances are at first reading; the council recorded formal votes to advance each ordinance so Des Moines Water Works can prepare billing updates. Final adoption would take place at a later meeting before the effective dates.
Actions at the meeting related to these ordinances included motions to approve the first readings for Ordinance #969 (sewer), #970 (solid waste), #971 (recycling) and #972 (stormwater). All recorded roll‑call votes were AYES: Birch, Hodges, DeMoss, Konrad; NAYS: None.
