Utility Rate Increases

At a glance

What: Four resolutions setting water and wastewater rates and service charges: a 9 percent water rate increase and an 8.5 percent wastewater rate increase, with adjustments to utility service charges.
Outcome: All four passed 5-0 after a public hearing on September 28, 2026.
Drivers: Inflation, higher operating costs, capital investment and debt service. A previously discussed 2.5 percent increase for a new water service line program was removed.

Deputy Public Works Director Coleman presented all four items together with comparisons to other Montana communities.
Mayor Dean and Rigby said aging water and wastewater systems require the increases; Rigby later acknowledged the difficulty for residents, said the City does not seek a profit and stressed pursuing grants, loans and state and federal funds to keep rates low.
One public speaker, Delsa Petalu, commented; the minutes do not record the position.
Motions: wastewater rates (Reed, Rigby), wastewater charges (Logan, Rigby), water rates (Reed, Rigby), water service and equipment charges (Logan, Rigby). All 5-0 with Gustafson aye.

Public hearing; all four rate and charge resolutions adopted 5-0.