Pearisburg council adopts new water and sewer charges, effective July 1

The Pearisburg Town Council voted unanimously June 17 to adopt two ordinances that raise water and sewer charges and add monthly infrastructure assessment fees, measures the council said are intended to support system repairs and improvements. The ordinances take effect July 1, 2026.

The water ordinance (ORD 2026-08) adds a $3.00 monthly Water Infrastructure Improvement Assessment Fee to all water billings and sets a minimum monthly charge of $32.17 for up to 2,500 gallons, with tiered charges per 1,000 gallons thereafter: $7.71 for 2,501–150,000 gallons, $6.52 for 150,001–500,000 gallons, and $6.23 for 500,001 or more. The sewer ordinance (ORD 2026-09) adds a $4.00 monthly Sewer Infrastructure Improvement Assessment Fee and sets a minimum monthly sewer charge of $26.54 for up to 2,500 gallons, with per-1,000-gallon charges of $6.60 for 2,501–100,000 gallons and $6.19 for 100,001 or more.

Cathy Clark moved adoption of both ordinances and Amanda Davis seconded; the motions passed 7–0. Mayor Robert Dickerson signed the ordinances and Town Clerk Regina H. Harless attested to the adoption. Both ordinances specify they will be in effect on July 1, 2026.

Council members and staff framed the ordinances as part of a longer-term effort to address aging utility infrastructure and to create a dedicated assessment to fund improvements rather than relying solely on one-time revenues. The ordinances spell out billing cadence (monthly) and other implementation details included in the adopted text.

The council did not adopt a separate phased schedule or exemptions in the published ordinance text; any administrative or hardship policies would be handled through staff practices or future council action.

The council approved the ordinances during a special called meeting at Pearisburg Municipal Building, where staff provided the ordinance drafts and the council completed the formal roll calls and signatures.