Title
Public Works Wastewater, Solid Waste, Stormwater Rate Increase Requests
Purpose
PURPOSE/BACKGROUND:
Public Works is proposing user rate increases in fiscal year 2027 for the Wastewater, Solid Waste, and Stormwater divisions. Raising the wastewater user rate would fulfill regulatory requirements for the memorandum of agreement between the City of Hampton and Hampton Roads Sanitation District, thus allowing the division to ameliorate the highest priority defects by 2030, and remaining defects to be completed by 2040. Raising the solid waste user rate would cover the increased costs of equipment, maintenance, landfill disposal, and qualified staff retention. Raising the stormwater user rate would support Capital Projects' increased operating and maintenance expenses, as well as allow the division to prioritize the reduction of neighborhood flooding with enhanced stormwater systems and maintenance.
Discussion:
These rate increases would benefit the community by allowing Public Works to maintain the current level of services, and benefit the City by offsetting some of the costs incurred by the fact that the City is now maintaining the Department of Environmental Quality memorandum of agreement with Hampton Roads Sanitation District, as required by the regional consent order with the Environmental Protection Agency. These funds are budgeted in user fees, sewer fees, and sewer surcharges.
Recommendation:
Rec
No action is required of Council at this time.