Goldsboro adopts tiered residential water rates and directs billing upgrades with leak alerts

The Goldsboro City Council unanimously adopted a utility-rate ordinance that creates a tiered rate structure for single‑family residential water customers and applies a flat percentage adjustment for most other water and sewer blocks.

Staff explained the tiered residential structure is designed so low‑volume consumers pay less while higher users cover a larger share of marginal cost, with an overall revenue requirement included in the budget. The ordinance sets the effective date for many accounts on or after Aug. 1, 2026; some large contracted accounts will move on Oct. 1 to fit billing cycles.

Council members emphasized that the rate rollout should be accompanied by customer tools and education. Staff confirmed a demo of the customer-alert software is scheduled for June, with a full implementation timeline of about six months after the demo for leak alerts and customer sign‑ups. The public information officer will coordinate bill‑newsletter content and social posts to explain conservation practices and show residents how to sign up for alerts.

Council members said the combination of tiered pricing and leak‑detection alerts can reduce both customer bills and system demand if customers enroll and fix leaks promptly. The ordinance was adopted by vote with no opposition.