Council approves utility code updates and manager waiver authority

The Town Council approved two second‑reading ordinances that update utility billing code and add limited administrative authority for the town manager.

Ordinance 2026‑01 updates Title 5 (Public Works) chapters addressing sewers, water and capacity charges. Staff explained the changes align code language with current utility and finance practice: moving fee amounts to an adopted fee schedule, updating customer‑deposit rules to reflect state law for small multi‑unit residential properties, clarifying the roles of the finance director and utilities director, modernizing notice and payment timing to bank business days, and adding language to support paperless billing and electronic payment processing. Council approved the ordinance on second reading; the ordinance will take effect 30 days after adoption.

Ordinance 2026‑02 amends Town Code chapter 31 (town officers) to add explicit authority for the town manager to waive collection of rates, fees or charges in extenuating circumstances when not prohibited by law. Council members sought and received assurances of oversight: the manager will report any fee waivers in quarterly reports to council, and the code continues to respect express prohibitions in statute or ordinance (for example, certain capacity or statutory fees cannot be waived). Town counsel and staff discussed safeguards and expectations that waivers will be rare and used for correction of errors or compassionate circumstances.

Both ordinances passed on council voice votes recorded by the clerk. Council directed staff to finalize implementing code updates and to provide the requested quarterly waiver reporting.