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Commission approves water, sewer, sanitation and recycling rate increases and public safety fee
Summary
The Warrenton City Commission adopted a package of rate and fee changes: water up 4%, sewer up 8%, sanitation up 20.8%, recycling passed through by vendor, and a revised public safety fee, with most changes effective July 1, 2026 (public safety fee effective Aug. 1).
The Warrenton City Commission adopted multiple rate and fee changes at its meeting, approving a 4% increase to water rates and fees (Resolution 27‑23), an 8% increase to sewer rates (Resolution 27‑24), a 20.8% increase to sanitation rates (Resolution 27‑31), and new recycling pass‑through charges (Resolution 27‑32). The commission also adopted an updated public safety fee (Resolution 27‑30) with an effective date of Aug. 1, 2026.
Mayor (unidentified) explained why the package was necessary, saying, "it's gonna definitely be needed, especially since we're short on funds from the state and the feds that we we're anticipating." The commission conducted second readings by title as required and voted to adopt each resolution; the sanitation rate adjustment was noted in the record with a 4–1 roll call for that item.
The recycling charge was described by staff as a vendor recommendation (Recology) that the sanitation fund will pass through rather than a city policy decision. Effective dates stated in the adopted resolutions place most rate changes on 07/01/2026; the public safety fee was adjusted to start on 08/01/2026 per staff presentation.
The commission did not attach additional conditions to the rate adoptions; staff and the public were reminded that statutory notice and public‑comment procedures had been observed for the proceedings. Further budget and operational impacts were left to staff to monitor and report back as needed.
