Finance committee flags EMS, water, sewer and storm rates for 2027 study; sewer increase capped at 3%

Finance staff told the committee the EMS charge and several utility rates will be the subject of 2027 studies and possible petitions. The presenter said EMS has a CPI adjustment and that “the monthly charge for single family residential will be 3137 based on the CPI.” For sewer, staff said the June-to-June index produced a 4.5% number but the council’s ordinance caps the increase at 3%, so staff will apply the cap if required.

Staff also discussed the water-rate CPI and noted the storm rate has been unchanged since 2022 and is calculated per square foot (presenter cited 0.0067); they said a CPI cap is not meaningful for storm rates and that any change would come after a separate storm-rate study. Committee members asked for the prior survey/study and staff said Becky and Ricky have it and that they would re-circulate it before the council meeting.