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Kearney approves modest water and sewer rate increase to cover rising system costs
Summary
The Kearney Board of Aldermen unanimously approved an ordinance that will raise the minimum water and sewer bill by about $1.53 per month; the city estimates an average household (3,000 gallons) will see roughly a $3.78 monthly increase to cover energy, chemical and equipment costs.
The Kearney Board of Aldermen on Feb. 18 adopted an ordinance to raise water and sewer rates, citing rising operational costs and the need to plan for infrastructure replacement.
Finance Director Stephanie Harris told the board the increase is intended to "cover the costs for the energy, chemicals, the equipment, that we use to provide clean and safe drinking water and to treat our wastewater." She said the proposal would "add about a dollar 53 per month to the minimum water and sewer bill" and estimated that, based on the average Kearney household use of about 3,000 gallons a month, the change would amount to roughly a $3.78 monthly increase for the average residence.
Harris said the adjustment is tied to continued emphasis on maintenance and inspections to identify problems before they become costly, and to planning for growth and aging infrastructure replacement. The board asked no follow-up questions during the presentation.
The ordinance (Bill 4-20-25) was read by title on first and second readings and passed unanimously on second reading. Roll-call responses recorded Aldermen King, Holt, Lehman and Barker as voting "Aye." Mayor (speaker 8) declared the ordinance passed.
What happens next: the ordinance amends the city code section prescribing utility charges; implementation timing was read as part of the ordinance reading but no additional effective date beyond the readings was specified during the meeting.
