A one-dollar increase in Newton’s Stormwater Utility rate passed its first reading at this week’s city council meeting. Newton Public Works Director Joe Grife is asking for the additional revenue to restore the Stormwater Utility Budget, which will be depleted after several planned projects are completed in the next fiscal year. A 25-cent increase in the Stormwater Utility, or Equivalent Residential Unit rate, is already set to take effect on July 1st of this year. Grife says the additional one-dollar increase that’s also proposed to start in July would generate another 140-thousand dollars in revenue per year. 

“Our single-family homes, that’s $1.25 extra per month on their utility bill. Our exempt and commercial properties will see an average of $7.50 more a month. Our industrial properties will see an average increase of $86.25 a month.”

Grife says exempt properties include schools and churches. The Newton City Council must vote on the Stormwater Utility Rate increase at least two more times before it can be implemented.