Safety-Service Director Tanner Salyers has outlined new legislation to the Mount Vernon City Council that will see an increase in wastewater and sewer rates starting with the first billing cycle of the second quarter of 2026.
"We have discussed with council already that there are anticipated three years of 11% wastewater rate adjustments and three years of 7% water rate adjustments as increases," Salyers said, according to a Mount Vernon Utilities Commission meeting video from November 6.
According to the video, Salyers explained that this would equate to approximately $10 added to the base rate. The proposed legislation sets an 11% increase in the wastewater rate for 2026, 2027, and 2028, pending approval. While the council holds authority over wastewater rates, it is the safety-service director who sets water rate adjustments. These rates are expected to rise by 7% each year during this period.
Salyers also said that a review of both wastewater and water rates is planned for the first quarter of 2028 to assess whether these increases remain necessary. He suggested that anticipated residential and commercial growth in Mount Vernon might negate the need for such hikes. The legislation was scheduled for its first reading on November 10.
Additionally, Salyers noted that utility customers receiving new meters should be informed about their forthcoming bills before any rate increases take effect. He mentioned plans involving $15 million in upgrades to the water plant, addressing capital project needs like a water tower, standard distribution projects, and funding engineering work. According to him, these considerations form part of a comprehensive review of the utility enterprise when evaluating rate increases.
