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River Bend keeps water and sewer rates unchanged for FY26-27, will monitor reserves
Summary
At a May 11 budget workshop, River Bend officials reviewed water and sewer fund projections, agreed to rename the 'hydrant fee' to 'availability fee' to clarify collection authority, and decided against raising utility rates for FY26-27 while monitoring reserves.
River Bend officials reviewed the town's water and sewer enterprise budgets at a May 11 budget workshop and agreed not to raise utility rates for fiscal year 2026–27.
Town Manager Delane Jackson presented cash levels, departmental budgets, capital improvement plans and the utility rate model for the water and sewer funds. He said the rate proposal contained no changes and showed projections indicating cash reserves will need close monitoring in the years after the town's debt service is paid off. Council members expressed satisfaction with the model and agreed to no rate increases for FY26-27.
Jackson also proposed a technical change to the town fee schedule: renaming the "hydrant fee" to an "availability fee" to provide clearer legal authority to collect unpaid fees. He said the change would not raise costs for customers; the council did not object.
Public Works Director Brandon Mills said the water treatment process is going well and reported positive public feedback. Mills added that approval of a pilot treatment process by the state would reduce treatment costs and the manpower required to operate the system.
Next steps: councilors asked staff to continue monitoring cash reserves and return with updates as debt-service obligations wind down. No formal vote on rates was recorded; council consensus was reported at the workshop.
