City Public Works staff presented a package of five ordinances to the PIE Committee on Nov. 17 that would temporarily raise utility revenue and adjust rates for 2026. The first ordinance would add a 0.5% utility tax for one year on water, sewer and garbage, which staff estimated would raise about $1.3–$1.4 million. Staff said the remaining four ordinances would implement the requested rate increases across water, sewer, solid waste and capital rates.

“Every line in your rate ordinances, you’ll see every rate goes up a half a percent,” staff said in response to council questions about how the change was applied. Staff showed example household bills: an irrigation-season bill previously estimated at $161 would increase to about $162.62 — an 82¢ monthly difference — while a winter-level median usage bill would rise about 75¢ under the package presented.

Staff also noted a change to the senior and disabled discount that will take effect in 2026: the monthly discount was doubled from $10 to $20 for qualifying customers. The presentation said 1,850 customers qualified for the discount in November 2024 and that staff increased that number to “31, 32” today; staff characterized that as roughly a 70% increase in customers receiving the benefit.

On timing, staff said budget amendments and ordinance hearings are scheduled for the next council meeting, and that the utility tax would include a sunset date of Dec. 31 (one year). Council members asked about planning for subsequent rate years (2027 and 2028); staff said they will run a year-long (or six-month) review process, continue consultant-supported rate analyses for water and wastewater, and release an RFP for a similar solid-waste rate study.

No final votes on the ordinances were recorded at the Nov. 17 meeting; staff said the ordinances and the budget amendments would be scheduled for formal consideration at a future council meeting.