Akeley council adopts 2025 preliminary levy and raises water and sewer rates

The Akeley City Council on Dec. 11, 2024, approved a preliminary 2025 levy of $251,860.69 and adopted an amendment to Ordinance 101 that increases the city’s water and sewer user rates beginning in 2025.

City Hall staff presented the updated revenue and expense outlook, noting higher supplies and a forthcoming high‑service pump replacement at the water plant. Acting Mayor Dan Riggs and City Hall staff described staff‑driven budget adjustments that left the levy increase at 2.755% after several transfers and expense reallocations.

Kristi Kath (City Hall staff) summarized the proposed fee changes during the December work session: a roughly 9% increase in water charges and a roughly 7% increase in sewer charges to help cover rising chemical, parts and contract costs and to rebuild reserves depleted by recent capital work. The council discussed alternatives, and members asked for a detailed water/sewer rate impact analysis prior to final adoption; the ordinance amendment was placed on the agenda and approved as Ordinance 101 amendment 1‑2024.

The council also approved housekeeping changes to mayor and council pay (Ordinance 102 as amended Dec. 11, 2024). The meeting packet and work sessions showed the council considered a range of budget offsets, including use of enterprise balances and transfers to capital accounts to smooth levy impact.

The city clerk is scheduled to publish the ordinance summaries and the council will set a final levy at the statutory deadline. The rate changes and levy adoption are administrative actions required to keep water and sewer operations funded while the city replaces aging infrastructure at the plant.