Committee forwards 5% retail water-rate increase recommendation to full board after wholesale hikes announced

Speaker 4, a staff member, told the Budget Rate Committee that the Cobb County–Marietta Water Authority has notified the city of a planned wholesale rate increase and that the authority now forecasts a 5% annual wholesale increase for calendar years 2026–2029. "They anticipate a 5% increase annually for our wholesale cost," Speaker 4 said.

Staff recommended matching the wholesale increase with a 5% retail increase to cover higher wholesale charges and internal water-department capital and personnel costs. When asked for the current unit price, Speaker 4 stated the current wholesale rate is "3.5" and that it will increase to "$3.683 per 1,000" (as spoken in the transcript); staff said the retail increase would help cover personnel and infrastructure costs.

Committee members discussed capital projects, use of reserves and prior grant support for projects such as a water tower. Speaker 6 and staff confirmed that capital spending has increased and that some reserves are being used to accelerate projects. Staff and committee members framed the retail increase as helping to sustain capital and replacement work on aging infrastructure.

Speaker 2 moved that staff’s water rate proposals, including the 5% retail match, be forwarded to the full Board of Lights and Water; Speaker 1 seconded, and the committee voted by hand/voice to carry the motion. The full board will take up the recommendation at a subsequent meeting.