The Carroll City Council will consider the final reading of an ordinance amendment to raise water rates for the first time in nearly a decade for consumers at their upcoming meeting on Monday. The council voted 5-1 to approve the first and second readings of the 7.5 percent increase for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 at the May 12 and May 27 meetings. Current projections indicate that water rates will increase by 7.5 percent again in FY27 and by five percent in both FY28 and FY29, resulting in a 27.4 percent increase over the four years. City Manager Aaron Kooiker says the council is only approving the increase for FY26, and the following years are subject to change.
Kooiker notes the FY27, 28, and 29 rates will be largely dependent on the final costs of the Northwest Pressure Zone project. He says the council will have another ordinance they will need to amend following changes at the statehouse to Iowa’s fireworks regulations.
Consumer fireworks would still be prohibited within city limits following the ordinance amendment’s approval, excluding July 3, July 4, and Dec. 31. Kooiker adds they will also welcome Carroll County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Jeff Cullen at Monday’s meeting for a presentation on the county’s preparedness efforts.
Other items on Monday’s agenda include updates to the city’s traveling merchant ordinances, the FY26 property, liability, and workers’ compensation renewal, and the required FY26 salary resolution. The June 9 meeting begins at 5:15 p.m. at Carroll City Hall and is open to the public. The agenda and links to the live-stream video are included below.
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