Commission approves revised wastewater fee schedule amid resident objections about rate structure

The commission approved Ordinance 2026‑16 on second and final reading, amending the city wastewater fee schedule, including usage tiers and connection fees. Staff said the second reading corrected an omission — restoring a usage tier covering consumption over 6,000 gallons — and that otherwise there were no changes from the first reading.

Multiple public commenters raised concerns that capital improvements cited in consultant reports could be subsidized by residential rates rather than funded through the budget. Resident Paul Stein argued, "Capital improvements should be funded by millage and they should be in the budget. They should not be subsidized by monthly wastewater rates." The ordinance passed after a recorded vote with all commissioners voting in favor.