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Town of North East proposes water and stormwater rate increases and higher connection fees for FY2026
Summary
Director of Finance Vonnie Stemen presented proposed FY2026 increases to in‑town and out‑of‑town water service charges, higher bulk and hydrant rates, a $2,825 connection fee for in‑town 1" meters, and a stormwater quarterly increase from $5.60 to $5.90 per ERU; the packet defines an ERU as 250 gallons per day per unit.
At the budget workshop, Director of Finance Vonnie Stemen detailed proposed changes to the town’s Water and Storm Water Management funds for FY2026.
Stemen said the town proposes to increase water service charges. The packet lists the in‑town minimum charge for a 5,000‑gallon allocation moving from $55.60 to $57.30 and the overage rate from $11.12 to $11.46 per 1,000 gallons. The out‑of‑town minimum charge is proposed to increase from $111.20 to $114.60 for a 5,000‑gallon minimum, with the overage rate rising from $22.24 to $22.92 per 1,000 gallons. Stemen also presented a bulk sale charge increase to $57.30 per 1,000 gallons and hydrant meter construction rates of $11.46 per 1,000 gallons in town and $22.92 per 1,000 gallons out of town.
Stemen outlined connection and facility fees: the Water Connection Fee for in‑town meters up to one inch (1") is listed at $2,825, and the Major Facility Fee is proposed at $4,100 times the number of units proposed to be served or per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU), regardless of number of meters. The packet explains ERU is calculated by dividing the requested allocation gallons by the town's established residential average of 250 gallons per day per unit.
The Storm Water Management Fund is proposed to increase from $5.60 to $5.90 per quarter per ERU. Stemen noted the Artesian interconnection charge will remain at $14,049 for a 35,000‑gallon/day minimum with a $4.46 per 1,000 gallon overage rate.
All rate and fee items were presented as proposals during the workshop; no formal action or vote was recorded. The board will need to take formal action at a future public meeting to adopt any of the proposed changes.
