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Council backs 15% increase to water/sewer fees in draft master fee update; ordinance to follow
Summary
Council discussed a color-coded master fee schedule and directed staff to prepare an ordinance for a 15% residential increase in water and sewer rates; staff will notify customers via bills/website and schedule an effective future date in the ordinance.
Chair reviewed a draft master fee schedule that included plat application fees, a proposed $10,000 subdivision retainer for large developments, and options to increase water and sewer rates. Staff presented scenarios of 15%, 25% and 30% increases; several council members favored a measured 15% residential increase to avoid sudden hardship for residents.
"If we haven't raised our rates since 2017... 15% is still way below what the surrounding towns are doing," a council member said, and the Chair directed the attorney to prepare ordinance language and recommended staff include public notice via the next water bill, website and social media so the effective date can be set later in the ordinance. The council moved to adopt a 15% increase for items highlighted in yellow, excluding development retainer fees, and asked staff to return with formal ordinance wording and timing.
