Council reads ordinance increasing sewer rates, including Weatherstone surcharge

During the Jan. 20 session the Wadsworth City Council held the third reading of Ordinance No. 25-220, sponsored by Council Member Tom Stugmyer, which amends Sections 53.35, 53.37 and 53.38 governing sewer rates. The ordinance text lists specific charges for single-family residential sewage: a monthly customer charge of $15.19 and a monthly commodity charge of $4.56 per 1,000 gallons. The ordinance also establishes a Weatherstone Lift Station surcharge of $7.87 per unit while describing rules for optional special metering (for irrigation and similar uses) and procedures when the city does not furnish water service.

The ordinance declares the measure an emergency "necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety" and states the amended sections will apply to initial billings after January 1, 2026. The transcript provides the ordinance language and certification but does not include recorded vote tallies or debate on the merits; the ordinance requires an annual review of sewer rates by the Director of Public Service and reserves the city's right to require meters or additional constructions at property owner expense.