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Residents urge restraint on proposed water rate hike as city holds budget hearing
Summary
Public commenters told the council that households already absorbed a 75% water-rate increase in 2024 and opposed an additional proposed 20% increase in FY27, urging the council to prioritize critical water system investments while pursuing state and federal grants and phased projects.
At the consolidated budget hearing residents raised concerns about proposed utility-rate increases and called on the council to prioritize essential water infrastructure funding and alternative revenue sources.
Jen Henninger told the council she has tracked her monthly water and property-tax bills and said that while property taxes have fallen over two years, the household has absorbed "a 75% increase in water rates in 2024, and now the city is proposing an additional 20 increase." She urged the council to exhaust alternative funding options and phase projects to avoid placing further burdens on households.
Other commenters from surrounding service areas described large last-year increases in water bills and asked the council to consider impacts on renters and multi-family housing. The council recorded the comments and noted the FY27 budget public hearing remains open; an additional hearing is scheduled for June 2, 2026.
