Board adopts ordinance to raise Piney River water and sewer base fees

The Nelson County Board of Supervisors voted to adopt ordinance O-2025-09, an amendment to the county code governing water and wastewater that modifies base service fees and grinder pump charges and phases in increases beginning in mid-2026.

County staff (Speaker 3) told the board the ordinance moves the effective date to July 1, 2026, and applies a 7% increase on July 1 of 2026, 2027 and 2028 for the listed fee categories while leaving other proposed fees unchanged. A board member asked whether meter-size and connection fees would move to July 1 as well; staff and the mover confirmed the ordinance is intended to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Speaker 5 moved to adopt the ordinance and the motion was seconded. The board conducted a roll-call vote with recorded affirmative responses from members called, after which members thanked staff for collaborating on a version they said would be “much better for the people of the community.”

The ordinance was adopted and will take effect per the phased schedule beginning 07/01/2026. Staff indicated they expect to present implementation details on the fee changes and associated customer notices as needed.