Politics
West Ordinance 2026-14 Caps Water Rate Increases for Residential Accounts
The measure limits annual adjustments to 2.5 percent for the 45,000 residential water and sewer accounts served by the city utility.
How we reported this
The mayor signed Ordinance 2026-14 on July 7 after the West City Council approved the text at its regular meeting. The ordinance caps annual increases in residential water and sewer rates at 2.5 percent beginning with the October billing cycle. It applies to every household account inside city limits.
City budget documents released in May 2026 showed that water and sewer charges make up roughly 4 percent of average monthly household outlays in West. The new cap was drafted after the utility division reported that wholesale treatment costs rose 3.8 percent in the prior fiscal year. Council members directed staff to tie future adjustments to a published inflation index rather than full cost recovery.
Effect on Monthly Bills in West Neighborhoods
A household in the West River district that used 8,000 gallons last July paid $47.80. Under the capped schedule the same usage would rise to at most $49.00 in October 2026. Residents in multi-family buildings on the east side will see identical percentage limits applied to master-metered accounts, which the legislation treats as residential for this purpose.
The 2025 West Utilities Annual Report listed 45,000 active residential accounts and average monthly consumption of 7,200 gallons. Staff projections attached to the ordinance estimate that the cap will reduce aggregate residential collections by $312,000 in fiscal year 2027 compared with an uncapped trajectory. The difference will be offset by drawing from the utility reserve fund, which stood at $4.2 million on June 30.
Next Steps for Rate Schedules and Assistance
The utility department must publish the revised rate tables by August 15. Customers who already receive the low-income discount will keep that percentage reduction on the new base rates. The city clerk will accept written comments on the implementation rules through July 31.
Utility billing staff plan to mail a one-page notice with the September statements explaining how the cap is calculated. Any resident may request a printed copy of the full ordinance from the municipal building at 200 West Main Street.