Centrum City Council Approves Utility Rate Adjustments, Residents to See Water Bill Changes from September

Centrum City Council on July 8 approved adjustments to water and sewer rates as part of the annual utility review. The measure affects all connected properties within city limits and sets new billing structures that take effect on September 1.

The decision follows review of the 2026 operational budget documents released by the city manager's office. Those documents note rising maintenance costs for aging treatment facilities and distribution lines that serve the central districts and outlying neighborhoods. Council members cited the need to align revenues with projected expenditures before the next fiscal quarter.

Effects on daily household costs

Residents will notice the adjustments on their combined utility statements mailed at the end of September. Single-family homes on standard meters face revised base charges while multi-unit buildings will see recalculated per-unit fees. Local advocates note that the changes coincide with the end of summer irrigation season, when outdoor water use typically declines.

Businesses along the main commercial corridors receive separate notices detailing how the new rates apply to higher-volume accounts. The legislation states that commercial properties must update their meter reporting by October 15 to avoid estimated billing.

Next steps after the vote

City staff will mail updated rate schedules to all account holders by July 25. Public works crews are scheduled to begin meter inspections in August to verify readings before the September billing cycle starts. The government says the policy will generate the revenue listed in the adopted budget for infrastructure repairs scheduled through 2027.

Further council sessions on related capital projects are listed on the August meeting agenda. Residents can review the full rate tables on the city website or request printed copies at the municipal services counter.