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2025 TAXES AND FEES
- No income tax increase.
- No property tax increase.
- No sewer or stormwater increases.
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Refuse and water rate increase.
- Refuse rates were last increased in 2019. There are cost increases related to labor, refuse/recycling disposal, fuel and capital equipment. A proposed rate increase is recommended in 2025 from the existing $30/month rate to $35/month.
- The last two water rate increases were imposed in 2017 and 2024. There are upcoming costs related to infrastructure improvements and capital equipment including water mains and service lines, water well maintenance, water tower refurbishments, and meter replacements. The chart below shows the proposed monthly water bill increase for three water usage scenarios... 300, 600 and 900 cubic feet, comparing 2024 rates and proposed 2025 rates:
Scroll horizontally to view all columns.
| 2024 Rate | Proposed 2025 Rate | Monthly Increase |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Fee |
Usage Charge |
Total | Service Fee |
Usage Charge |
Total | ||
| 300 cf | 15.00 | 7.92 | 22.92 | 18.75 | 9.90 | 28.65 | 5.73 |
| 600 cf | 15.00 | 15.84 | 30.84 | 18.75 | 19.80 | 38.55 | 7.71 |
| 900 cf | 15.00 | 23.76 | 38.76 | 18.75 | 29.70 | 48.45 | 9.69 |
Mrs. Stafford reported that at the end of 2025, the city will have continued to provide comprehensive public services and, based on current projections, have:
- $35,936 more in our General City Services funds.
- $23,807 less in our Refuse funds.
- $99,570 more in our Water funds.
- $74,676 less in our Sanitary Sewer funds.
- $943 more in our Stormwater funds.
Mrs. Stafford asked for a motion to recommend approval of the 2025 budget. Motion by Mrs. Fodge; second by Mr. Vaughn. Upon a viva voce vote, motion passed.
Mrs. Smiddy thanked Mrs. Stafford and the Finance Department. She also thanked the Budget Review Committee members for their volunteer service.
Mrs. Smiddy provided an update on the following:
- The City will conduct a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Chevy Blazer electric police vehicle in January.
- The City recently sent letters to every property owner in Oakwood with known or suspected lead pipes, galvanized pipes, and pipes with unknown materials mandated by the EPA as part of the federal government’s 10-year timeline for the replacement of water service pipes nationally. There was a discussion about the number of letters sent, the process of determining service lines, and the enforcement process. Mrs. Smiddy shared that there are a lot of unknowns at this time and staff is waiting on the EPA to provide further direction.
- Remote teleconferencing will not be offered in 2025 for the Budget Review Committee meetings. In-person participation is encouraged.