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Council adopts FY27 fee schedule (Resolution 16-45); wastewater rate increase smaller than budgeted
Summary
The council adopted Resolution 16-45 to set the FY27 fee schedule with modest adjustments (most fees up to about 3.5%); staff said wastewater rates increased only 2% thanks to a new revenue stream, and staff and public works described why base water/sewer charges apply even for unoccupied properties.
Interim Finance Director Laurie Hooper Antrim presented Resolution 16-45, the proposed FY27 fee schedule, saying the updates are intended to improve cost recovery and maintain current service levels. She said most fees would increase by about 3.5% or less and that water and sewer rates had been budgeted to increase by 3%, but the proposed wastewater increase was 2% "due to the new revenue stream that we have and some cost saving measures that were taken in FY26."
A council member asked why base charges for water and sewer apply even if a property is vacant. Casey Keiser, Public Works Director and Assistant City Manager, explained the charges reflect a permanent physical connection and the maintenance and capacity costs associated with every connection: "Our maintenance is based on a certain number of connections... every connection requires a certain level of maintenance to ensure the integrity of our system." Staff and councilors noted that customers can disconnect service but reconnecting typically carries a substantial reconnect fee that often makes temporary disconnection uneconomic.
After closing the public hearing, a motion to adopt Resolution 16-45 establishing fees and charges for FY27 was made, seconded and approved by voice vote.
