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Denton trustees approve multi-year water and sewer rate increases
Summary
The Village of Denton Board of Trustees unanimously approved Ordinances 26-2-1 and 26-2-2 on April 6, 2026, raising water and sewer charges in multi-year steps effective May 1, 2026, after a rate study showing current sewer rates are insufficient to cover costs.
At a public meeting on April 6, 2026, the Village of Denton Board of Trustees unanimously approved two ordinances that raise municipal water and sewer charges in stepped rates beginning May 1.
Randy Hellbusch of the Nebraska Rural Water Association presented a rate study recommending higher sewer and water charges to cover testing, wages, electricity and treatment maintenance. “The sewer system currently serves 94 users,” Hellbusch said, and he reported the existing flat sewer rate of $47 would need to rise to about $70 to adequately cover expenses. He urged the village to update rate studies every two years and noted that Denton is the smallest Nebraska community operating a water treatment plant.
The board read and approved Ordinance No. 26-2-1 by title and voted to waive further readings. The ordinance sets the residential and commercial monthly water service charge at $85 plus $12 per 1,000 gallons for May 1, 2026–April 30, 2027; $92 plus $13 per 1,000 gallons for 2027–28; and $103 plus $14 per 1,000 gallons for 2028–29. The ordinance includes standard repeal, severability and publication provisions and becomes effective as provided by the ordinance.
The board also read and approved Ordinance No. 26-2-2, which revises monthly sewer rates to $55 for 2026–27, $63 for 2027–28 and $71 for 2028–29. Trustees unanimously waived the statutory three-reading requirement for passage on both ordinances.
Board members and staff did not record objections in the minutes. Motions to read and adopt the ordinances were made by Amanda Fangmeier and seconded by Doug Rosekrans; votes on the main motions were unanimous. The ordinances direct publication in accordance with village procedures before taking full effect.
The rate changes primarily affect users of the Denton municipal water and sewer systems; the minutes list 94 sewer users referenced in the consultant’s presentation. The board did not record a formal schedule for customer notices in the minutes; the ordinances themselves specify that they be published within the first 15 days after passage as required by the text.
Next steps noted in the minutes: publication of the ordinances and administrative implementation of the new billing rates by the village clerk/treasurer.
