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Dell Rapids council adopts new water rates, resident presses staff for debt‑vs‑operations breakdown
Summary
Ordinance 950, setting new water rates effective March 1, 2026, passed unanimously on second reading; a resident asked for a breakdown showing how much of rates recover past debt versus current operating costs and staff said a financial presentation would follow.
The Dell Rapids City Council on Dec. 15 adopted Ordinance 9 50 on second reading to set new water rates effective March 1, 2026.
City staff told the council the second reading reflected no changes from the Dec. 1 meeting and recommended adoption. “This is ordinance 9 50, for setting the new rates, beginning with 03/01/2026 water billing,” the city administrator said, noting the ordinance had previously been approved at first reading.
During discussion, resident David Schmidt asked the council for a clearer division of customers’ bills between operating costs and debt service. “How much of the bill of the actual part… is for operation and how much of it is for debt?” he asked, saying some portions of current bills reflect past capital projects carried within rates. Staff said Christina would provide financial reports and audit material and offered to meet with Mr. Schmidt to produce the requested breakdown.
The council then took a roll‑call vote and approved the ordinance; staff confirmed the new rates will begin on March 1, 2026.
