Frederick City Considering Increase In Water And Sewer Rates

If approved by the City Council, they would go up by 3% between 2026 and 2030.Frederick Mayor Michael O’ConnorFrederick, Md (KM) A vote is expected to take place  by the Frederick City Council on a proposal or raise the water and sewer rates. A City Council committee earlier this month approved a measure to raise the rates by 3% between fiscal years 2026 and 2030.  Fiscal year 2026 begins on July 1st, 2025.During a recent appearance on WFMD”s “Morning News Express,”  Mayor Michael O’Connor said the proposed rate increase was recommended by a consultant who looked at growth in the city, service expansion where necessary, normal maintenance and significant capital costs. That person then made a recommendation to raise the rates.”When water rates get set that show an increase over a number of years, it’s because those are the actual projected costs of operating the system over that same time frame,”  Mayor O’Connor says. “Because the goal is not to operate the water and sewer in any kind of deficit that requires the general taxpayers to contribute.”The Mayor says the money raised by the rates are used to operate and maintain the water and sewer system without any subsidy from the taxpayers.He also says the rates are used to help expand the water and sewer system to accommodate growth. “We still need to make sure we’re budgeting appropriately for expected expansion so we don’t hit a situation where the next new business that wants to come to town is told they can’t come because we don’t have the capacity  to serve them,” says Mayor O’Connor.If the 3% increase is approved, Frederick City’s water and sewer rates would be lower than those in Washington, Carroll and Baltimore Counties, and the City of Rockville; but higher than the rates in Frederick, Howard and Anne Arundel Counties.No date has been set for the City Council to vote on the proposed rate increase.By Kevin McManus