Willard council tables proposed multi-year water and sewer rate increases for further analysis

The mayor opened a public hearing on Resolution 2025-13, which proposed a multi-year schedule of water and sewer increases. Council documents presented the proposal: "Water: The monthly water service rate would increase from $25 to $37 per account on January 1st, with a $2 increase each year for the next 5 years thereafter." "Sewer: The current base rate of $68 would increase by $18 to $86 per account beginning January 1, 2026. On January 1st each subsequent year for the next 5 years, it would increase by $5."

Council Member Jordan Hulsey said she had researched other Utah cities and "found Willard's rates to be significantly higher," and requested more information about alternatives and cost drivers. Council members cited factors contributing to rates — sewer-plant complexity, a lack of commercial customers to spread costs, the city's debt structure and balloon payments, depreciation and expected repairs — and then voted unanimously to table the resolution until August. The council asked staff for additional materials before reconsideration, including a breakdown of costs and debt service, exploration of impact-fee use for debt service, labor-cost analysis, comparisons with other cities' rates and potential alternatives with risk and financial impact assessments.