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North Oaks council adopts new 2026 water and sewer fee schedule
Summary
The North Oaks City Council on June 11 approved Ordinance 158 and Resolution 1596 adopting a revised 2026 water and sewer fee schedule that sets a $72.41 residential base water charge with a three-tier consumption structure and a $50.14 quarterly sewer base fee with a $5.60 per 1,000-gallon sewer charge.
The North Oaks City Council voted unanimously on June 11 to approve Ordinance 158, adopting a revised 2026 water and sewer fee schedule and Resolution 1596 to implement the changes.
Jeanne Vogt of Ehlers Financial presented the rate study and described the adopted structure as a single residential base rate of $72.41 plus a three-tier consumption schedule: Tier 1 up to 20,000 gallons for essential use, Tier 2 for 20,000–90,000 gallons (typically irrigation and car washing), and Tier 3 for usage above 90,000 gallons to encourage conservation. Commercial water will have a two-tier structure (up to 90,000 gallons; over 90,000 gallons) and no irrigation tiering for commercial irrigation was recommended.
For sewer, the council adopted a $50.14 quarterly base fee for all sewer users and a consumption charge of $5.60 per 1,000 gallons for both residential and commercial customers. Vogt noted average household consumption was calculated at about 15,000 gallons per quarter; the rate package includes a flat $84.00 charge for identified “sewer-only” users. Vogt said the rate design “promotes conservation, balances who uses and who pays for the system, and sets the funds up for future capital projects.”
The study anticipates several capital items in the coming years: a $25,500 hydrant painting project and $25,000 placeholders for unexpected water-fund expenses, a used generator for the sewer fund in 2027 for $50,000, and staggered lift-station repairs estimated at about $100,000 per station (three in 2027, another in 2030, and a fifth in 2031). The study also factors in an estimated 121 percent increase in Metropolitan Council Environmental Services (MCES) sewer charges in 2027 and includes recommended internal loans between water and sewer funds for lift-station work to avoid bond financing.
Councilor Andrew Gaspard said he was “happy to see a consolidated rate structure” and asked staff for additional year-over-year expense and billing breakdowns. Administrator Kevin Kress said the council would need to account for White Bear Township and Shoreview rate changes in future adjustments and recommended an annual look-back to inform future years’ rates.
The ordinance was moved by Councilor Andrew Gaspard and seconded by Councilor Grover Sayre; the motion carried unanimously. The council directed staff to implement the new fee schedule and to continue discussions with NOHOA on street and capital project coordination. The public hearing on the ordinance had no public comments.
