HomeMy WebLinkAboutORD 25-4955 - FY26 Utility Rates - PUBLISH 05-29-25 Ordinance No. 25-4955
Ordinance Amending Title 3, Entitled "Finances, Taxation And Fees,"
Chapter 4, Entitled "Schedule Of Fees, Rates, Charges, Bonds, Fines, And
Penalties"
Whereas, pursuant to Chapter 384, Code of Iowa (2025), the City of Iowa City is authorized to
establish and provide for the collection of rates to pay for the City’s utility systems, including the
City’s water supply and treatment system, and solid waste disposal services at the municipal
landfill; and
Whereas, the City’s financial policies dictate that the Water fund shall be self-supporting; and
Whereas, the City’s current water rate structure does not provide sufficient revenue to fund the
necessary operations; and
Whereas, the Iowa City City Council intends to provide a water rate and fee structure that makes
the City’s water utilities self-sustaining; and
Whereas, the Iowa City City Council proposes to increase water user charges by 3% on July 1,
2025 to recover the City’s cost of providing services; and
Whereas, the City’s financial policies dictate that the Refuse and Landfill funds shall be self-
supporting; and
Whereas, the City’s current solid waste disposal rate structure does not provide sufficient revenue
to fund the necessary operations; and
Whereas, the Iowa City City Council intends to provide a solid waste disposal rate and fee
structure that makes the City’s refuse and landfill utilities self-sustaining; and
Whereas, the Iowa City City Council proposes to add a yard waste sticker that is $2.00 per sticker
per bag or bundle and to add a minimum yard waste tipping fee at the landfill of $5.00 on July 1,
2025, to adequately finance the municipal solid waste operational costs.
Now, therefore, be it ordained by the City Council of the City of Iowa City, Iowa:
Section I. Amendment.
1. Title 3, entitled "City Finances, Taxation, and Fees," Chapter 4, entitled "Schedule of Fees,
Rates, Charges, Bonds, Fines, and Penalties," Section 3, entitled "Potable Water Use and
Service," of the Iowa City Code is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and
replacing it as follows:
3-4-3: Potable Water Use and Service:
Description Of Fee, Charge, Bond, Fine Or Penalty Amount Of Fee, Charge, Bond, Fine Or Penalty
Water service charges (see section 16-3A-4 of this Code): Meter Size
(Inches)
Charge
For first 100 cubic feet or less of water used, based on
meter size
5/8, 5/8 x 3/4
3/4
1 11/2
$9.04
9.88
11.63 23.19
2
3
4
6
31.18
57.63
100.50
202.23
There will be no minimum monthly charge for a single purpose water meter for the months of November to March if
no water is used.
User charges for water in excess of 100 cubic feet per
month:
Monthly
Usage
(Cubic Feet)
Charge Per 100 Cubic Feet
Dual purpose meters 101 - 3,000 Over 3,000 $4.21 3.03
Single purpose meters Over 100 4.21
Other charges and discounts: Charge
Low income discount 75 percent of minimum monthly water charge
Temporary water use (see subsection 16-3A-4 B of this
Code):
During construction for the first 90 days from the date of the connection to the water main for a new water service or a maximum of 90 days for reconstruction:
Charge Per Month
Single- and two-family residences $ 21.14
Multi-family residences 21.14
Commercial structures 35.22
After 90 days for any structure, until the water meter is
installed
140.82
Charge
Direct purchase of water fee, per 100 gallons or fraction thereof (see subsection 16-3A-4 C of this Code) $ 0.50
Deposit and delinquency fee for combined City water
and/or sanitary sewer and/or solid waste collection
accounts (see section 16-3A-5 of this Code):
Residential owner account 0.00
Residential tenant account 120.00
Commercial account An amount equal to an average 2 month billing for commercial service for City water and/or sanitary sewer service, or $120.00, whichever is greater
10 percent delinquency charge on current billed portion of the outstanding amount on combined water and/or sanitary sewer and/or solid waste account that is not paid within 22 days of billing date. Can be waived once every 12 months
Delinquency deposit fee for combined water and/or
sanitary sewer and/or solid waste collection accounts (see
section 16-3A-5 of this Code)
An amount equal to an average 2 month billing for the
delinquent account. Can be waived if the account holder
enrolls in SurePay
To connect water main extensions, per acre Charge
$555.60 Service Fees
During Normal
Working Hours
After Normal
Working Hours1
Reconnection of discontinued service $45 $97.31
Posting fee for shutting off water in collection procedure $0 Not done after normal working hours
Frozen water meters $40.13, plus cost of meter $97.31, plus cost of
meter
Shut off water service at curb and check for exterior leaks No charge $97.31, plus hourly
overtime rate beyond 2
hours
Broken or damaged hydrant Repair cost $97.31, plus repair cost
Location of City owned water main for other utilities No charge No charge
Location of City owned water main for private enterprise No charge $97.31, plus hourly overtime rate beyond 2 hours
Check water meter for accuracy at consumer's request $93.67 Not done after normal
working hours
Annual fire hydrant fee for inspection and operation of fire
hydrants which are privately owned or owned by other
government agencies
110.69 Not done after normal
working hours
After hours callout fee for any water work done outside of
normal working hours
Not applicable $97.31, plus hourly
overtime rate beyond 2
hours 2. Title 3, entitled "City Finances, Taxation, and Fees," Chapter 4, entitled "Schedule of Fees, Rates, Charges, Bonds, Fines, and Penalties," Section 5, entitled "Solid Waste Disposal," of the Iowa City Code is hereby amended by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it as follows: 3-4-5: Solid Waste Disposal:
Description Of Fee, Charge, Bond, Fine Or Penalty Charge
Yard waste collection fees:
Per dwelling unit, per month $3.50
Low income discount 75 percent of monthly charge
Additional yard waste carts over 1, per month $3.50
Per sticker for each bag or bundle $2.00
Collection of large items fees:
Appliance collection, per item collected $20.00
Bulky solid waste $20.00 per stop and 1 item; $10.00 per
additional items
Tire collection $3.75 per tire; $7.50 tire and rim
Residential solid waste collection fees:
Curbside household refuse:
Per dwelling unit, per month $14.00
Low income discount 75 percent of monthly charge
Per sticker for each additional bag beyond each unit's monthly
allotment
$ 2.50 each
Additional refuse carts over 1, per month $14.00 each
Per 2 rooming units, per month (in addition to the dwelling unit
fees)
15.90
Electronic waste TVs or monitors $21.50 per item
Curbside recycling:
Per dwelling unit, per month $8.50
Low income discount 75 percent of monthly charge
Iowa City community compost $20.00 per ton, $2.00 minimum
Wood chip mulch No charge
Deposit and delinquency fee combined for City water and/or sanitary
sewer and/or solid waste collection accounts:
Residential owner account, per combined residential service for City water and/or sanitary sewer and/or solid waste collection service
$ 0.00
Residential tenant account, per combined residential service for City water and/or sanitary sewer and/or solid waste collection service
120.00
10 percent delinquency charge on current billed portion of the
outstanding amount on combined water and/or sanitary sewer
and/or solid waste account that is not paid within 22 days of billing
date
10 percent current billed portion. Can be
waived once every 12 months
Delinquency deposit for combined water and/or sanitary sewer and/or
solid waste collection service
An amount equal to an average 2-month
billing for the delinquent account. Can be
waived if the account holder enrolls in
SurePay
Special wastes disposal fees:
Disposal of special wastes (except for asbestos containing material and contaminated soils) 2 times the landfill use fees in this section
Minimum fee 2 times the landfill use fee for 1 ton
Asbestos containing material (ACM):
Nonfriable ACM, from Iowa City premises subject to a
Property Tax and City owned property
$100.00/ton
Nonfriable ACM, from other locations 105.00/ton
Friable ACM, from Iowa City premises subject to a Property Tax and City owned property 100.00/cubic yard
Friable ACM, from other locations 105.00/cubic yard
Minimum fee for any regulated ACM 100.00
Contaminated soil: 50.00/ton
Minimum fee for contaminated soil 150.00
Disposal of large items fees (see also Collection of large items fees above):
Appliance disposal fees:
Commercial per item disposed 1.00/cubic foot
Residential per item disposed $12.50 (at landfill scale house)
Tire disposal fee:
Per pound $ 0.15
Subject to minimum fee 3.00
Untreated wood waste and yard waste: 24.00/ton
Minimum yard waste fee in lieu of tonnage fees (400 pounds
or less)
5.00
Landfill use fees:
Arriving at the landfill with an unsecured or uncovered load:
First instance in trailing 12 months Warning
Second or subsequent instances in trailing 12 months $50.00
Electronic waste $3.00 per item; TVs or monitors $15.00 per
item
Solid waste from Iowa City premises subject to a Property Tax and
City owned property:
Total landfill fee per ton (includes State fee per ton) $47.50
All other solid waste:
Total landfill fee per ton (includes State fee per ton) $52.50
Minimum fee in lieu of tonnage fees (600 pounds or less):
Solid waste from Iowa City premises subject to a Property Tax
and City owned property
$14.00
All other solid waste $15.00
Section II. Repealer. All ordinances and parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this
Ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section III. Severability. If any section, provision or part of the Ordinance shall be adjudged to be
invalid or unconstitutional, such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the Ordinance as a whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
Section IV. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be in effect on July 1, 2025.
Passed and approved this 20th day of May 2025.
s/Bruce Teague, Mayor
Attest:s/ Yulissa Caro, Deputy City Clerk
*Submitted to publish on 05/29/2025