Town manager proposes water and sewer rate increases to offset rising labor costs

Town Manager Stephen Lawson told the Budget/Finance/Audit Committee that proposed increases to water and sewer rates are intended to cover labor‑cost pressures after the town eliminated one full‑time and one part‑time position at the Water Plant.

Lawson described the Water Fund proposal as a $1.00 increase to the minimum charge and a $1.00 increase to the over‑1,500‑gallon rate for both in‑town and out‑of‑town customers. For sewer, the proposed changes include an in‑town base increase of $0.21 and an over‑1,000‑gallon increase of $0.08, and an out‑of‑town base increase of $0.36 and an over‑1,000‑gallon increase of $0.12. Lawson said the increases were needed so the town can meet a state‑mandated increase in minimum wage while adjusting staffing levels at the Water Plant.

The committee did not take a formal vote on the rates at this meeting; instead, it unanimously recommended forwarding the budget package, including the proposed rate adjustments, to Council for a public hearing on June 2.