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Council approves FY2026 budget amendments after staff recommends 4% water rate increase
Summary
City staff presented budget amendments including a 4% increase to the base water fee (cited as $16.02 to $16.66) and modest garbage-rate adjustments; council opened a public hearing, heard concerns, and approved the amendments to help balance the water fund.
City staff presented amendments to the fiscal year 2026 budget and told the council the package includes a 4% increase to the base water fee and tier adjustments that will take effect on January bills if approved. "The base water fee in the proposal is to increase that to from 16.02 to 16.66, which is a 4% rate increase," staff said during the Dec. 16 meeting.
Staff said the changes also include a shift in usage tiers that moves the first tier from 0–3,999 gallons to 0–2,999 gallons, which will push higher-volume users into a more expensive tier. The city also passed along an increase from its garbage supplier, Republic Services, that adds about $0.43 per month to a typical residential bill. Staff estimated the water-rate change would generate approximately $220,000 annually for the water fund (about $110,000 for the remainder of the current fiscal year).
During the public hearing resident questions focused on where schedule and worksheets were in the packet and how the adjustments would affect bills. Mayor and council members voted to adopt the related budget amendments and the accompanying resolution, with staff saying the increases are aimed at maintaining infrastructure and funding operations.
