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Demorest reviews 2026 water and sewer study, council to consider rate options next month
Summary
Consultant Fletcher of EMI told the Demorest City Council the water and sewer system remains financially stable but faces rising costs; staff presented four options — including a uniform 3% annual rate increase — and recommended the council vote on a path at the next regular meeting.
The Demorest City Council heard a presentation Dec. 2 from Fletcher of EMI on a 2026 water and sewer study that found the utility’s finances generally healthy but under pressure from rising expenses. Fletcher outlined four alternatives to maintain fiscal stability: decrease transfers from water and sewer funds, revise the rate structure to align with AWWA M1 standards, implement differentiated charges for high-volume users, or adopt a uniform 3% rate increase each year.
Mayor Jerry Harkness and councilmembers discussed the trade-offs and agreed to review the study in detail before voting at next month’s regular meeting. Fletcher emphasized adjusting the structure to meet industry-standard rate-setting practices as a way to address cost shifts without unduly burdening lower-volume customers.
The study presentation did not include a final recommendation or a proposed ordinance; councilmembers requested more detailed modeling and directed staff to return with formal ordinance language and financial impacts for residential and commercial customers.
