Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Rates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Staff lays out two water-rate scenarios; council leans toward modest, tier-protective approach
Summary
Staff presented two water-rate models: a modest base-fee-centered option estimated to raise about $241,000 annually and a steeper across-the-board option estimated at $375,000; council members preferred a compromise that protects lowest-tier users.
City staff presented two illustrative water-rate scenarios to help close the FY2025 budget gap. "This first model is actually asking for... an increase from the base rate of 14.33 to 16 dollars," the budget presenter said, describing Scenario 1 as a mostly base-fee increase with limited ladder changes; staff estimated that option would generate roughly $240,000 in additional revenue. In contrast, the larger Scenario 2 would raise the base to $17.91 and apply ladder increases at all levels, producing an estimated $375,000 but producing much larger monthly bill increases for some customers.
Council members questioned distributional impacts and favored less impact on low-usage households. "I'd rather increase the utility bill... I would rather increase the utility bill. It seems to have a greater impact to the revenue for the city versus increasing a property tax," a council member said, while staff noted that enterprise funds and general-tax revenues are legally separate and target different projects. Several councilors suggested leaving the lowest tier near a 3% increase while applying 4–5% to higher tiers, and asked staff to refine the modeling and share spreadsheets before the next meeting.
