Kindred raises several fees and updates utility billing policy, council approves consolidated 2026 fee schedule

Kindred City Auditor Tabitha Arnaud presented revisions to the city’s utility billing policy and a consolidated 2026 fee schedule at the Jan. 7 meeting. Council approved both measures by unanimous roll-call votes.

Key utility-policy changes approved include raising the new-account deposit from $100 to $150 and increasing the meter equipment fee to $380 to reflect actual city costs. The policy also allows temporary waivers of base water and sewer fees for properties without active water service when curb stops are non-working, and permits council-approved temporary adjustments or waivers of base rates for properties under construction with active building permits.

The consolidated 2026 fee schedule set or revised multiple fees: a $500 special meeting request fee payable in advance; water and sewer hookup fees increased to $500 each; fence permits set to a flat $50; moving building permits raised to $500; excavation permits set at $1,000 (partially refundable on inspection); snow removal and mowing/weeds set at $200 per hour; NSF fee set at $35; delinquent/disconnect fee $50. Council also indicated it will continue reviewing facility reservation fees.

Auditor Arnaud framed the changes as efforts to make fee amounts reflect actual costs and to consolidate fees for clearer administration. The council approved the utility policy changes and the fee schedule on motions recorded as Peraza/Spelhaug and Peraza/Spelhaug, respectively.

The fee changes take effect immediately as municipal policy; no transitional provisions or exemptions were recorded in the minutes.