Last week, the Warsaw Town Council approved increases to a list of rates and fees.

The approved changes include adjustments to water and sewer connection fees for new development, increases to monthly utility rates, updates to several municipal service fees, and a new flat rate business license fee for businesses not otherwise categorized.

Utility Increases

Under the new schedule, residential utility rates within town limits will increase slightly. Water service will rise from $24 to $26 per month, while sewer service will increase from $43 to $45 per month for the first 4,000 gallons of usage. Commercial rates will increase proportionally, with water rising from $42 to $44 and sewer from $63 to $65 for the same usage threshold.

Town Manager Joseph Quesenberry said these are nominal increases primarily designed to offset declining water revenues, which he said are “down quite a bit.” Sewer revenue, meanwhile, has remained relatively stable.

Quesenberry explained that despite the increases being charged, he did not increase the proposed budget for those utilities for the upcoming fiscal year.

“The proposed budget actually does not change for water or sewer,” he said. “What you have before you this year, I just almost replicated it for next year because revenues are down. We’re just trying to offset that by slight increases in water and sewer.”

He reminded council members that there was a five to six year period around the pandemic when there weren’t any increases. But the town also made a significant jump in the past—something they don’t want to repeat. Now, town staff are trying to make small increases “each year, as necessitated,” instead of major hikes.

With the higher rates, town staff project being able to put roughly $25,000 into the utility reserve fund, “which isn’t much, but it’s something,” Quesenberry said.

Mayor Randy Phelps added that with declining usage and delinquency issues, there is less money coming in.

Connection Fees

Warsaw approved large hikes for water and sewer connection fees. For example, the standard ¾ inch residential water connection fee will increase from $2,500 to $5,000, with sewer connections set at $5,500. Larger meter sizes will carry higher fees depending on the project scale.

According to Quesenberry, Warsaw’s charges for connections had fallen behind those of comparable localities. He also emphasized that this change applies only to new construction connecting to the town’s systems and does not affect existing homeowners.

Other Fees

No parking, fire lane, and blocking traffic violations all increased to $125. Sign permits and major subdivision fees were set at $30.

Also, a business license fee of $10,000 per year was approved for all businesses that are not categorized.

Although these fees and rates increased, Quesenberry noted that the FY27 budget staff is working on doesn’t propose any tax increases or increases in trash collection.

The business license went into effect the day after the meeting, on March 12. All other rate and fee changes will take effect July 1, at the start of the FY27 fiscal year.

One Opponent

Councilman Jonathan English was the only council member to vote in opposition to the increases. “I’m always for keeping things low,” he stated.

Although he expressed an understanding about challenges with the wastewater budget and the pending DEQ requirement for well replacement, English said he would like to see things stay the same and the town try to work around that.

Councilmembers Daphne Palmore and Bobby Walters were not present.