In This Issue:
- Reminder! Policy Committees Begin Monday
- Metropolitan Council Adopts Wastewater Rates and Charges
- Livable Communities Programs Survey
Reminder! Policy Committees Begin Monday
Metro Cities policy committee process begins on Monday! If you have not signed up and would like to join a committee, committee descriptions and dates are on the website. We look forward to seeing you!
Metropolitan Council Adopts Wastewater Rates and Charges
On Wednesday, the Metropolitan Council voted to adopt wastewater rates and charges for 2026. This action came after the business item passed through the Environment Committee where members heard a presentation detailing the rate setting schedule, council-hosted engagement efforts, a peer comparison placing MCES among other metropolitan areas in the nation, and other MCES budget insights.
The proposed rates include a wastewater charge increase of 5.8%, no increase for sewer availability charges (SAC), and an average increase of 5.8% for industrial permit fees. The Metropolitan Council held customer forums on May 22 and June 5 to discuss the proposed rates and charges with municipalities. The Council’s municipal budget workshops drew 50 attendees from 30 different communities. Click HERE to view the presentation used by staff when this item came before the Environment Committee. The next step in the budget process following the full Council’s action on Wednesday will be the preliminary operating budget adoption scheduled for August 27.
Contact Mike Lund at [email protected] or 651-215-4003 with any questions.
Livable Communities Programs Survey
The Metropolitan Council is asking for feedback on changes to its Livable Communities programs that are proposed for 2026. A draft plan was presented and discussed with the Metropolitan Council’s Community Development Committee in early July, and Metro Cities reported on that meeting and the proposed LCA program changes in its July 11th newsletter, HERE. To take the survey, click HERE. The Council is asking for feedback by Friday, August 8th.
Questions? Contact Patricia Nauman at [email protected].