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Council delays town‑hall, plans ordinance and outreach on proposed utility surcharges
Summary
Council was briefed on proposed utility‑rate increases tentatively included in the budget and agreed to prepare explanatory materials in advance rather than hold an immediate town hall; staff said ordinances will be required at a future meeting.
Council received an update on a proposed set of utility‑rate changes, including surcharges and potential impacts tied to local projects. Staff said they had tentatively included the increases in the budget but would need to pass ordinances to implement rate changes, and that city staff would try to provide clear explanatory materials to the public ahead of further discussion.
"We've tentatively approved it in the budget already, but we have to pass ordinances on it," staff said, explaining the need for a careful, staged public process. A councilmember encouraged staff to "put something out there in English or plain terms" describing existing surcharges and the reasons for proposed increases. Staff and council discussed options including an FAQ on the city's website, adding a short memo line to monthly bills, and print inserts or mailings for customers without online accounts.
No ordinance or vote occurred at the meeting; council signaled they expected a fuller presentation and ordinance language at a future meeting and asked staff to expand outreach and clarify surcharge descriptions for customers.
