<div style="margin-top: 20px;"><img src="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/citylogo-utilities.png" alt="City of Columbia Missouri Utilities" width="175" height="101" style="margin-right: 5px;">
<div style="float: right; margin-right: 0px; margin-left:20px; width:106px; height: 116px;"></div>
<div style="padding-top:40px;
text-align:center;">
<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;">P.O. BOX 6015 <br />COLUMBIA, MO 65205</p></div>
</div>
<div style="clear:both; text-align:center; padding-top: 20px;">
<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">July 30, 2025</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Matt Nestor
<br />Public Information Specialist
<br />City of Columbia Utilities
<br />573.874.7307
<br />Matthew.Nestor@CoMo.gov</p>
</div>
<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Opportunity for public input on proposed water rate structure changes</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display:inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Columbia residents will have the opportunity to provide input on the City of Columbia’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget and a proposed water rate structure change during a public hearing at the City Council meeting on Monday, Aug. 4. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 701 E. Broadway.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As part of the FY 2026 budget, City of Columbia Utilities is proposing a water rate structure change that will increase revenue 12%. However, the City expects water bills to decrease for residential customers who have consistent monthly usage (an estimated 65% of residential customers).</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Providing safe, reliable and affordable water remains a priority for the City of Columbia. The Water Utility serves more than 51,000 customers, and the sale of water is the major source of revenue for the department.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Based on Stantec Consulting’s cost of service study, City staff designed the proposed rate structure to implement a revenue increase to maintain adequate cash reserves while recovering costs from users more closely with how their use impacts the system.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The proposed base charge for residential customers would be $14.32, an increase of 25 cents per month.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For consumption charges, the Water Utility is looking to make three changes. First, the usage charge is decreasing from $3.22 to $2.30 per 100 cubic feet (or 1 ccf), which is approximately 748 gallons. Second, usage tiers would be applied year-round rather than only during the summer months. Each customer’s tiers are based on their winter average consumption (WAC), which is determined by usage in January, February and March. Finally, Tier 1 would extend to 100% of the customer’s winter average consumption.<br /><br /></span></p>
<table style="height: 130px; width: 537.516px; border-color: 000000;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 15px;">
<td style="width: 766.516px; background-color: 0075c9; height: 15px; text-align: center;" colspan="5"><span style="color: ffffff;"><strong>Consumption charges (per ccf)</strong></span></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15px;">
<td style="width: 91px; height: 15px;"> </td>
<td style="width: 333px; height: 15px; text-align: center;" colspan="2"><strong>Current</strong></td>
<td style="width: 342.516px; height: 15px; text-align: center;" colspan="2"><strong>Proposed</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15px;">
<td style="width: 91px; height: 15px;">Tier 1</td>
<td style="width: 210px; height: 15px;">0%-70% WAC</td>
<td style="width: 123px; height: 15px;">$3.22</td>
<td style="width: 224px; height: 15px;">0%-100% WAC</td>
<td style="width: 118.516px; height: 15px;">$2.30</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15px;">
<td style="width: 91px; height: 15px;">Tier 2</td>
<td style="width: 210px; height: 15px;">70%-170% WAC</td>
<td style="width: 123px; height: 15px;">$4.44</td>
<td style="width: 224px; height: 15px;">100%-200% WAC</td>
<td style="width: 118.516px; height: 15px;">$6.33</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15px;">
<td style="width: 91px; height: 15px;">Tier 3</td>
<td style="width: 210px; height: 15px;">More than 170% WAC</td>
<td style="width: 123px; height: 15px;">$6.89</td>
<td style="width: 224px; height: 15px;">More than 200% WAC</td>
<td style="width: 118.516px; height: 15px;">$10.20</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 15px;">
<td style="width: 91px; height: 15px;">Irrigation</td>
<td style="width: 210px; height: 15px;">All usage</td>
<td style="width: 123px; height: 15px;">$6.89</td>
<td style="width: 224px; height: 15px;">All usage</td>
<td style="width: 118.516px; height: 15px;">$10.20</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A more detailed breakdown of the changes can be found at </span><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="http://beheard.como.gov/proposed-water-rates-fy26"><span style="font-weight: 400;">BeHeard.CoMo.gov</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">If approved by the City Council, the water rate increases would go into effect beginning with the first billing cycle in October 2025. </span></p>
<p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Members of the public may attend any open meeting. For requests for accommodations related to disability, please call 573.874.CITY (2489) or email </span></em><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="mailto:City@CoMo.gov"><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">City@CoMo.gov</span></em></a><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">. In order to assist staff in making the appropriate arrangements for your accommodation, please make your request as far in advance of the posted meeting date as possible.</span></em></p></div>
<br />
<div class="content"></div>
<br />
<div class="attachments"></div>
</div>
<div id="footerline">
<div style="margin-top: 15px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align:center;"><p>City of Columbia Vision<br>
<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
<p>City of Columbia Mission<br>
<em>To serve the public equitably through democratic, transparent and efficient government.</em></p>
</div>
<p style="text-align:center;">-30-</p>
</div>
<style>
#pressrelease{ margin:20px; margin-top: 0px;}
.attachments{margin-top: -10px;}
@media print {
body {font-size: 90%; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;}
#pressrelease{ margin: 0px; }
}
</style><p><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/view.php?id=9334">View this release on CoMO.gov or access a sharable link.</a></p><p>______________________________________________________</p>
<p>You have received this message because you subscribe to the City of Columbia's Web Mail service. To view linked material click on provided links or copy and paste them into your browser's address menu.</p>
<p>______________________________________________________</p>
<p>Archived releases can be viewed online at:
https://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/directory.php</p>
<p>______________________________________________________</p>
<p>If you would like to stop receiving messages, modify list options, or subscribe to other lists visit the Web Mail section of our Web site and follow the instructions provided at https://www.como.gov/Web_Mail/ </p><style>div{margin: 10px;}</style>