Columbus Council Weighs Another 18% Water Rate Hike, $124 More a Year for Average Household; Hearing Nov. 12
The Columbus City Council is considering raising water rates by 18% for a second straight year. The utilities committee will hold a hearing at City Hall at 4:30 p.m. on November 12, and the council plans to vote on November 23. By the city water and power department's calculation, a typical household of two to three would see its combined annual bill for water, sewer and stormwater rise from $1,247 to $1,371, about $124 more a year; overall bills would rise about 10% for city customers and about 11% for suburban customers.
The city says the increase would raise at least $20 million for a fourth water plant and other infrastructure. The plant is estimated to cost nearly $2 billion, drew no bids when first tendered this year, and is planned for re-bidding in early 2027. Notably, two members of the city's utility advisory board representing low-income and senior residents — Katie White, executive director of the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging, and Jackie Gutt, an attorney with Southeastern Ohio Legal Services — voted no at the October meeting, a rare occurrence on that board. The board also unanimously recommended a 4% sewer increase and a 2% stormwater increase, but its votes are advisory only; the final decision rests with the council.
Councilmember Christopher Wyche, who chairs the utilities and sustainability committee, said he understands residents' cost pressures and that the city has stepped up promotion of its utility discount program: seniors over 60 and households earning below 200% of the federal poverty line can apply for reductions.
Source: The Columbus Dispatch
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Photo: 图：哥伦布市天际线。图片来源：Wikimedia Commons，Kevin Payravi 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0。 Image: The Columbus, Ohio, skyline. Source: Wikimedia Commons, photo by Kevin Payravi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
