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Council approves utility rate and fee updates; one councilor votes no on fee increases
Summary
The council approved updates to Title 25 adjusting water and electric rates and fees to fund utility operations and resiliency; one council member opposed the scale of fee increases, citing concerns about discouraging electrification.
City utilities staff presented Ordinance 13 (Series 2025) on Nov. 18, seeking approval of updated water and electric rates and related fees to support daily operations and long‑term resiliency. Ryan Labock, deputy utilities director, and Cole Langford outlined the changes and said they are built into the 2026 revenue budgets.
Council discussion focused on the magnitude of proposed fee increases (tap and community investment fees). Councilor Bill said he supports infrastructure upgrades but opposed the size of fee increases, arguing higher tap fees could deter home electrification and redevelopment. "If our goal is to have enhanced rates of electrification ... this is a deterrent to that," he said. The ordinance passed on a roll call vote with one 'No' recorded.
Council directed staff to explore more equitable approaches to large upfront transformer costs, including pro‑rata arrangements for future users when large equipment is required by redevelopment. The ordinance will take effect per the schedule in the adopted Title 25 updates.
