Born City Council Approves Phased Water Rate Adjustments, First Changes Due October 1

The Born City Council voted 6-1 on July 7 to adopt a three-stage adjustment to residential water rates under Resolution 2026-47. The first stage takes effect October 1 and applies to all single-family and multi-unit accounts served by the municipal utility.

Why the change arrives now

The council acted after the Public Works Department reported that treatment plant upgrades completed in 2025 required an additional $1.8 million in annual operating funds. City documents show the existing rate structure has not covered those costs since the upgrades came online in March 2025.

Under the approved schedule, the base monthly service charge rises from $18.40 to $21.10 on October 1. A second increase to $23.80 follows on April 1 2027, and the final stage reaches $26.50 on October 1 2027. Usage charges per cubic meter also increase by 8 cents in each stage.

When residents receive the new amounts

Utility statements mailed in late September will show the October 1 rates for the first time. Residents who pay by automatic bank draft will see the updated deduction on their October statements. The city will send a one-page insert with every bill in September explaining the three-stage timeline and providing a phone number for payment-plan requests.

Multi-unit buildings will receive a single master bill reflecting the new rates, after which property managers decide how to allocate the increase among tenants. The ordinance requires managers to provide written notice to renters at least 30 days before any pass-through occurs.

City staff will hold two public information sessions, one on August 12 at the central library and one on August 19 at the east-side community center, to answer questions about individual bill calculations. No further council action is required before the October 1 change.