TO: Committee of the Whole
FROM: Chris Minick, Chief Financial Officer
Jason Bauer, Interim Director of Public Works
Robert Leible, Superintendent of Water Production
DATE: June 3, 2025
SUBJECT: title
A presentation on planned water rate adjustments for July 1 of 2025 and 2026.
body
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSION:
Historically, the city has adhered to the practice of adjusting its rates for water and sewer service moderately each year rather than imposing larger increases at irregular intervals. The rates are adjusted in order to keep pace with the cost increases associated with the operation and maintenance of the water and sewer systems within the city.
Staff is proposing a modest rate adjustment in both 2025 and 2026 to address operational needs of the system and the implementation of the Capital Improvement Plan. This rate structure allows for a prudent level of funding for system operations and maintenance while simultaneously respecting and acknowledging inflationary trends.
A history of the city’s Class 1 water and sewer service rates per 100 cubic feet of water consumed (i.e., the consumption charge rate) since 2014 is shown below.
Amount of Percentage
Effective Date Rate* Increase Increase
July 1, 2014 $4.65 $0.25 5.68%
July 1, 2015 $4.80 $0.15 3.23%
July 1, 2016 $4.95 $0.15 3.13%
July 1, 2017 $5.05 $0.10 2.02%
July 1, 2018 $5.15 $0.10 1.98%
July 1, 2019 $5.35 $0.20 3.88%
July 1, 2020* $5.35 $0.00 0.0%
July 1, 2021* $5.50 $0.15 2.80%
July 1, 2022 $5.80 $0.30 5.45%
July 1, 2023 $6.20 $0.40 6.90%
July 1, 2024 $6.60 $0.40 6.45%
*Rates deferred or reduced due to COVID 19 pandemic
Staff will conduct a detailed presentation corresponding to the suggested rate increases for 2025 and 2026.