The base fee for residential water use will periodically increase by about a dollar per year over the next five years after a larger initial increase in the fiscal year 2022-23 rate for residences with larger meters. Next year, the residential base rate of $14 will increase to $15.40, $19.60 and $25.20 for residences with 0.75-inch, 1-inch and 1.5- to 4-inch meters, respectively.
In addition, residential water volumetric rates will increase slightly each year over the five-year period. The commercial volumetric rate will increase significantly next year from $4.13 to $11.77, according to the ordinance.
The rate change will become effective for the Jan. 1, 2023, billing cycle, consisting of meter reads from about Nov. 14-Dec. 12, and each fiscal year rate increase will become effective for the Dec. 1 billing cycle of that fiscal year, according to the ordinance.
The rate structure was created based on research by a city consultant. The ordinance states the rate increases will allow the city to have “sufficient revenue for FY [2022-]23 and future years to fund maintenance, operations, capital projects and debt obligations.”
The rate changes are part of an ongoing capital improvement program to replace aging water and sewer lines throughout the city. The first phase of construction for the project is underway, according to the ordinance.
Nassau Bay City Council meeting agendas can be viewed on its official website. Meetings are streamed on the Nassau Bay official Facebook page.
