Council approves modest utility rate increase, staff cites five-year plan

The Edgewater City Council voted to approve Resolution 2026-R-24 on Aug. 3, 2026, authorizing a scheduled adjustment to the citys utility fees tied to a five-year capital plan.

Finance Director Bridget Bassier told the council that staff incorporated updates from the June 25 budget workshop and state-mandated permit changes. She said the package includes building-permit fee updates and that "the average 3,000-gallon utility bill would go up approximately $10 in total" and that "the $3.90 is the approximate increase for the water and sewer portion of that utility." Council debate focused on whether to phase increases (4.5% annually over five years) or defer them and face steeper increases later.

Public commenters warned of impacts on fixed-income residents. Cindy Platt told the council she pays on Social Security and described recent increases as steep: "My Social Security goes up 2 to 3% a year, and this is . . . a 50% increase" in services she uses, urging caution. Councilmembers discussed tradeoffs including potential offsets such as moving stormwater to the property tax roll or putting the municipal recycling program on the ballot. City Manager Mahoney said staff continues to seek grants and that earlier estimates for a wastewater treatment plant were being value-engineered from an initial $90 million estimate.

After motions and roll-call votes, the council approved the resolution. The adjustment is set to take effect Oct. 1, 2026. Staff said they will continue to pursue grants and alternative funding to lessen future rate burdens.