Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Water Rates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Dell Rapids holds first reading on 5% water and sewer rate increase tied to MCWC contract
Summary
Council held first readings of Ordinances 9-50 and 9-51 to raise water and sewer rates by 5% in 2026, citing an anticipated 10% increase in purchased water costs when a 40-year agreement with Minnehaha County Water Corporation expires in summer 2026; staff said the average household would see under $50 more per year.
Dell Rapids officials on Dec. 2 presented a proposed 5% increase to municipal water and sewer rates during first readings of Ordinance 9-50 (water) and Ordinance 9-51 (wastewater).
City staff told the council the increase is intended to help the utility cover operational costs and bond payments and to smooth future hikes. "MCWC's 40-year agreement expires in summer of 2026," a city presenter said, and MCWC told staff to expect an approximate 10% rise in purchased water prices; the 5% local increase factors that projection into 2026 budgeting.
Under the proposal the base water charge would rise from $13.26 to $13.92 and the base sewer charge from $17.82 to $18.71; staff estimated the combined average monthly change at $1.76 for water and $2.23 for sewer, totaling under $50 annually for a 5,000-gallon user. Consultants from DGR provided historical context for phased infrastructure replacement and said the city has several multi-phase projects planned to replace aging pipes and mains.
During public comment, residents pressed for clearer surcharge transparency and asked for an annual summary showing each surcharge, the underlying project and payoff dates; staff pointed to an FAQ and the annual financial report's debt tables and said ClearGov will show bond information. Council approved first readings of both ordinances as required for the process; further readings or adoption would follow at a subsequent meeting.
