Council adopts a 10% sewer rate increase and new stormwater fee, the first sewer hike since 2019

What happened

The council adopted General Ordinance 8-2026, raising sewer rates 10% starting in 2030 and creating the city's first dedicated stormwater charge, to pay for the long-term control plan — a court-mandated schedule of sewer upgrades required to stop sewage from overflowing into the Wabash River during heavy rain. 15:57

The plan targets roughly 1% average annual rate growth over a 10-year span and is the first sewer rate increase the council has approved since 2019 17:05; city officials said an earlier estimate had put the increase as high as 15 to 17% before internal cost cuts brought it down to 10% 27:50.

The mayor first presented this rate plan and a $3-a-month stormwater fee in July; Thursday's vote formally adopts both. $3/month stormwater fee, presented July 9

The outcome

Passed on a voice vote, first to take action and then to approve General Ordinance 8-2026. 29:08

Sources

• Mayor's overview of the rate increase and stormwater fee, 15:57
• 10% increase, 1% annual growth target, last increase in 2019, 17:05
• Mayor: earlier estimate was 15-17%, cut to 10%, 27:50
• Vote, 29:08
• July 9 presentation of the $3/month stormwater fee

Also known as: sewer rate increase Terre Haute · stormwater fee Terre Haute · General Ordinance 8-2026 · long-term control plan · why is my sewer bill going up · combined sewer overflow