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Vernal City Council approves sewer fee pass-through increase; commercial overage sharply up
Summary
The Council unanimously approved Resolution 2026-01 to pass through Ashley Valley wastewater treatment facility rate increases effective Jan. 1, 2026: a 2.35% general rate increase and a 17.68% increase to commercial overage charges above 8,000 gallons per month. Council emphasized the pass-through nature of the change and that sewer usage is measured via water meters.
Public Works Director Keith Despain presented Resolution 2026-01 on Jan. 7, explaining the Ashley Valley wastewater treatment facility adopted a 2.35% rate increase for residential, multi-family and commercial base categories and a 17.68% increase to commercial overage charges billed above 8,000 gallons per month. Despain said Vernal City is passing these increases through without mark-up and that overage charges aim to encourage conservation among water-intensive commercial users such as car washes.
Councilmembers discussed timing and calculation. Despain clarified sewer usage is determined from existing water meter readings and that the facility — which came online in 2001 — is 25 years into service with rising rehabilitation needs. Councilmember Ted Munford moved to approve Resolution 2026-01; Councilmember Randel Mills seconded. The resolution passed on a unanimous roll-call vote: Munford, Mills, O'Driscoll, Long, and Porter all voted 'aye.' The new rates take effect Jan. 1, 2026, and will appear on utility bills issued at the end of January.
