Council turns down utility rate increase

Steve Smith addresses the council about the city services fee and proposed utility rate increase, noting that rising costs are making budgets challenging for many residents. Photos by Sarah Brown

After a work session and some discussion during the March 12 City Council meeting, a proposed 1.5% utility rate increase was unanimously denied .

Mayor Ken Jackola and councilors David McClain and Dave Workman agreed that this is not the right time to increase utility rates.

Councilor Jeremy Salvage asked for more information about the needed upgrades at the wastewater treatment plant, which are primarily the reason to consider rate increases, to which City Manager…