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Menno council approves $10.18 monthly surcharge to fund $172,480 water meter project
Summary
Menno adopted Resolution #2026-03 establishing a temporary $10.18 monthly surcharge per active residential water account to recover $172,480 for new meters and metering infrastructure; the city previously accepted a DSG bid and transferred funds from the general fund to the water fund to be repaid by the surcharge, estimated to take about four years.
The Menno City Council on July 20, 2026, adopted Resolution No. 2026-03 to establish a temporary Water Meter Surcharge of $10.18 per month, applied per active residential water account, to recover the $172,480 cost of purchasing and implementing new water meters and advanced metering infrastructure.
Finance Officer Jodi Fischer moved to approve the resolution; Amber Cross seconded and the minutes record that all votes were aye. The minutes note the council had previously accepted a bid from DSG of Sioux Falls for $172,480 and approved a transfer of $172,480 from the general fund to the water fund at the July 6, 2026 meeting; that transfer is to be repaid via the surcharge, which the council estimated would recover the amount in approximately four years.
The resolution specifies that the surcharge will appear as a separate line item on the monthly utility bill, will be due and collected in the same manner as other water charges under Chapter 38, and that failure to pay will be treated under Sections 38-33 and 38-34. Revenues from the surcharge are to be deposited into the water fund (or another tracking account the Finance Officer deems appropriate) and used solely for meter-project cost recovery or repayment unless the council later directs otherwise. The surcharge will automatically terminate after the Finance Officer certifies that the full $172,480 has been recovered; the council may also amend or repeal the surcharge earlier or later to adjust for billing or administrative matters.
The resolution takes effect after passage and publication as required by law. The minutes do not record additional debate or amendment to the resolution.
