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Commission recommends draft utilities budget; staff says recent rate ordinance is included
Summary
Commissioners recommended the draft utilities budget to council after staff said the proposal includes prior rate ordinance changes; staff noted salary and benefit increases and reported water rates rising 8% and wastewater rates 5%.
The Utilities Commission voted to recommend the draft utilities budget to town council after staff said the packet reflects previously adopted rate changes.
Budget staff outlined the differences from the prior year: capital and operating elements were separated; salaries average about a 5% increase and retirement costs rose, property insurance was estimated to be about 10% higher and health insurance about 7.5% higher. "The wastewater rates went up 5%, and the water rates went up 8%," a finance staff member said as commissioners pressed whether council-adopted rate ordinances were included in the draft.
Commissioners asked for clarity after a public commenter and one commissioner noted that an earlier council action referenced a higher increase; staff said the previously adopted rate ordinance was implemented at a reduced level and that the current draft includes the currently effective ordinance amounts. After discussion the commission moved and the motion to recommend the draft budget to council carried.
