Denton board approves increases to water and sewer rates effective May 1, 2026

The Village of Denton Board of Trustees on April 6 approved ordinances increasing monthly water and sewer charges on a phased schedule that begins May 1, 2026.

The board voted unanimously to approve the first readings and to waive the usual three-reading requirement for both ordinances after Randy Hellbusch of the Nebraska Rural Water Association presented a rate study explaining the systems’ cost drivers and user counts. Hellbusch reported that "the sewer system currently serves 94 users and that the existing flat rate of $47 would need to increase to approximately $70 to adequately cover expenses," and he recommended the village review its rate studies every two years.

Ordinance 26-2-1 sets water rates for three 12-month periods: from May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2027, a $85.00 monthly service charge plus $12.00 per 1,000 gallons (or fraction thereof); from May 1, 2027, through April 30, 2028, a $92.00 monthly service charge plus $13.00 per 1,000 gallons; and from May 1, 2028, through April 30, 2029, a $103.00 monthly service charge plus $14.00 per 1,000 gallons. The ordinance states it will be published and take effect according to its terms.

Ordinance 26-2-2 establishes a revised sewer service charge schedule: $55.00 per month for May 1, 2026–April 30, 2027; $63.00 per month for May 1, 2027–April 30, 2028; and $71.00 per month for May 1, 2028–April 30, 2029.

Board members moved the readings and waivers procedurally: Amanda Fangmeier moved to read Ordinance 26-2-1 by title and approve the first reading, Doug Rosekrans seconded; the board then voted to waive statutory three-reading requirements. Similar motions were made and carried for Ordinance 26-2-2. The roll-call result recorded four yes votes and one absence (Trent Wheatley absent). The ordinances specify publishing within the first 15 days after passage and list effective dates beginning May 1, 2026.

Hellbusch emphasized that Denton is the smallest community in Nebraska operating a water treatment plant and listed primary expense categories including testing, wages, electricity and treatment maintenance fees. The board’s adopted sewer schedule increases the monthly service charge but does not adopt the roughly $70 figure Hellbusch identified as necessary to fully cover sewer costs; the transcript contains no record of a motion to adopt Hellbusch’s recommended dollar figure.

The ordinances passed first reading and will be published as required by the ordinances' text; additional procedural steps identified in the ordinances will govern final enactment and implementation.