Politics
Augusta Mayor Freezes Water and Sewer Rates for 2027 Fiscal Year
Augusta residents could see no increase in their monthly utility bills under the measure approved by the city council last week.
How we reported this
Augusta Mayor Robert Ellison introduced a proposal last Tuesday to freeze water and sewer rates through the 2027 fiscal year that begins October 1. The city council passed the measure on a 6-3 vote after two public hearings. The freeze applies to all residential accounts served by the Augusta Utilities Department.
Household costs for basic services have risen in Augusta over the past two years because of inflation in chemicals and equipment. The city last raised rates by 4.5 percent in 2025 to cover those expenses. Local government records show that utility payments represent about 3 percent of average monthly spending for Augusta households earning under $60,000.
Impact on Augusta Households
A typical single-family home in Augusta uses 5,000 gallons of water each month. Under the freeze, that household would continue paying the current base rate of $28.50 plus usage charges instead of facing the 3 percent increase that had been planned. The change also covers multi-family buildings and mobile home parks that receive city water service.
City budget documents list the Utilities Department operating budget at $24.8 million for the current year. Officials said the freeze will be covered by drawing from reserves accumulated during higher-than-expected water sales in 2025. The policy does not affect stormwater fees or trash collection charges.
Next steps include final review by the city finance department and updates to billing software before October. The council is scheduled to receive a progress report on reserve levels in January 2027. If reserves fall below the required threshold, rates could be reconsidered during the next budget cycle.