The Newton City Council will have the third and final reading and vote on a proposed increase in water rates tonight. City Administrator Matt Muckler says the proposed changes would take effect July 1st, and bring in an additional $1.9 million per year. He notes water rates in Newton have not increased in over six years. Since then, Muckler says operational costs have risen dramatically along with inflation, and revenues have not changed. He adds the city has started making needed and costly, infrastructure improvements to the water system.
If passed, there would be a $3.44 per month increase in the minimum usage rate for residential customers, while residential and commercial users exceeding the monthly minimum would pay 86-cents more per 100 cubic feet of water. In Fiscal Year 2027, those rates would increase by another $1.49 per month and 37-cents per 100 cubic feet.
Tonight’s Newton City Council meeting begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
