Alderman moves to perfect water-rate ordinance with study requirement; amendment passes

The Board of Aldermen perfected Board Bill 25, a measure revising water rates and related code sections, after the sponsor added an amendment requiring the city to procure a class cost-of-service study by June 30, 2027 and to draft an ordinance establishing a rate-review process.

Alderman from the 9th, sponsor of the measure, told colleagues the water division has run deficits for several years, cited roughly $700 million in capital improvement needs and said a mix of rate increases, settlement funds and bonding are required to restore the utility’s fiscal health. He moved Amendment No. 1 on the floor to add a timeline for the class cost-of-service study and language referring to a future ordinance on rate review; the amendment passed on voice vote.

The sponsor said the study and the rate-review ordinance are intended to increase transparency and create a predictable review process — rather than ad hoc emergency increases — and to help the water division regain access to bonding. After the amendment was adopted, the board perfected the bill as amended on a roll call vote reported as 12 ayes and 2 noes.

Supporters stressed the need to keep the water division public and to address deferred maintenance, while at least two members opposed the motion on the floor. The sponsor also noted prior engagement including town halls and committee hearings and said the bill includes targeted affordability provisions to mitigate impacts on low-income customers.

Next steps: the perfected bill will proceed on the regular calendar for subsequent readings and final passage; the amendment schedule requires the study be procured by June 30, 2027.

Ending: The board moved on to other items after the vote.