Mabton council approves package of utility hikes and raises utility tax to fund public safety

Mabton’s city council voted on Feb. 22 to approve multiple changes to local utility charges that city staff said are needed to stabilize utility fund balances. The measures include an increase in the utility tax from 23% to 26%, a 12% maximum annual increase in water rates (authorized for up to five years), a 2% sewer rate increase starting Jan. 1, 2027, and a step-up in garbage rates to recover fund reserves.

Staff who presented the package told the council the utility tax increase will be deposited in the city’s general fund and used to support public safety. As the presenter summarized, “This is the ordinance to increase the utility tax from 23% to 26%. And this is the money that goes directly into the general fund that directly supports your police officers.” Council members pressed staff on timing and impact; staff said the combined first-year effect across all utilities will raise the typical combined base charge by about $17.07 per month, and committed to provide an annual financial review and to re-evaluate the tax increase’s effect at the midyear billing cycle.

Council voted on each ordinance after short discussion and approved them. Members also discussed a potential additional 3% utility-tax increase later in the year to fund an additional officer; staff estimated that a further 3% would generate roughly $74,000 — about two-thirds of a full-time officer’s cost — and said the council could draft ordinance language to dedicate future revenue specifically to public safety if it so chooses.