Water Rate Adjustments - Eff 7/1/25
6/30/2025
DATE: June 30, 2025
TO: All City of Finlayson Water Customers
RE: Upcoming Water Rate Adjustments – Effective July 1, 2025
We are writing to inform you of upcoming water rate adjustments that will take effect July 1, 2025, beginning with your July billing cycle (billed at the end of July or early August).
Why are rates changing?
For many years, the City has worked to keep water rates as low as possible to reduce financial pressure on residents. However, the City’s water system has been operating at a deficit, which is no longer sustainable.
When the system was first constructed, it was designed to serve not only Finlayson but also nearby communities. That regional expansion never occurred, leaving Finlayson residents solely responsible for the costs of maintaining the water tower, treatment system, and operations. Rising costs, aging infrastructure, and limited user base have made it necessary to begin addressing these challenges.
To start correcting this imbalance and better align with inflation, the City Council, on the recommendation of the Public Works & Infrastructure Committee, has approved the following modest rate increases:
New Water Rates (Effective July 1, 2025)
Residential Customers
- Base rate: increasing from $35.00 to $40.00/month
- Usage rate: increasing from $0.0055/gal to $0.0063/gal
Commercial Customers
- Base rate: increasing from $46.00 to $51.00/month
- Usage rate: increasing from $0.0060/gal to $0.0069/gal
What’s Next?
The City is currently working with its engineering firm to complete a Preliminary Engineering Report (PER), expected in August 2025. This report will include a detailed review of the water system’s infrastructure, future maintenance needs, and funding strategy. At that time, the City will consider whether any additional rate changes are necessary.
We understand that increases to utility costs are never welcome news, and we appreciate your understanding as we take the necessary steps to maintain safe, reliable, and sustainable water service for our community.
If you have any questions, please contact City Hall at 320-233-6472 or [email protected].