Overview
- The City Council voted to adopt the new rates on Aug. 10 and the increases take effect Sept. 1, with exact changes depending on household water use.
- City officials cite aging water mains, sewers, pump stations and meters as reasons for the higher rates and say the revenue is restricted to utility operations and repairs.
- Officials reported that more than 40% of water entering the system is not being billed and said they will locate leaks, replace meters and reduce losses to address the shortfall.
- Residents on fixed incomes and small households say the hike is unaffordable and plan to question city leaders and the rate-study firm Plante Moran at the next City Council meeting.
- Local reporters requested interviews with city officials and Plante Moran but received no responses as of publication, leaving transparency and a clear timeline for fixes as central community concerns.