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Fincastle council approves 5% water and sewer base-rate increase, effective Jan. 1, 2026
Summary
At its Dec. 11 meeting the Fincastle Town Council voted 7-0 to raise the water and sewer base rate by 5% effective Jan. 1, 2026, following a presentation and rate study from Town Manager Melanie McFadyen; connection and availability fees were not changed.
The Fincastle Town Council voted unanimously Dec. 11 to raise the town's water and sewer base rate by 5 percent effective Jan. 1, 2026. Town Manager Melanie McFadyen presented a rate study, handouts and a PowerPoint outlining operational costs to run and maintain the town's water plant and comparisons with neighboring localities.
Councilmember Jim Reynolds suggested the council adopt an annual review of rates to ensure charges keep pace with operating costs. Council members explicitly declined to raise connection and availability fees at this time; staff will review those fees next year and compare them with WVWA fees.
Mayor Mary Bess Smith told council members the increase is intended to help cover both current operating expenses and future capital needs, including maintaining the existing plant and planning for a potential third water source. Mayor Smith opened a public hearing on the proposal at 7:10 p.m.; no members of the public spoke and the hearing was closed at 7:11 p.m.
Jim Reynolds moved to approve the 5% base-rate increase for both water and sewer; Paige Ware seconded. The motion passed 7-0 (Mayor Mary Bess Smith, Paige Ware, Clay Fitzgerald, Jim Reynolds, Barry Rakes, Ed Bordett, Pam Binns).
The council did not adopt changes to connection or availability fees and flagged those fees for review next year. The council also asked staff to continue tracking operational costs and bring regular updates as part of the suggested annual review process.
