Jackson eyes June 1 utility-rate hikes: water up 25%, sewer up 10%

Town of Jackson Public Works staff proposed a set of amendments to Title 13 of the municipal code that would increase water user charges by 25% and sewer user charges by 10% for all users starting June 1, 2026, according to the council workshop packet. The same packet says the sewer “strength” charge would rise by 10% as well. See: Town Council Workshop Agenda Packet.

The proposal also includes a 5.2% increase in both water and sewer capacity fees and a 5.2% increase to the 3 Creek Capital Replacement Charge, with staff citing the Engineering News-Record Construction Cost Index (ENR-CCI) as the inflation measure used for those one-time development-related fees. Septic dump station fees would increase 10%, the packet says. Town Council Workshop Agenda Packet.

Staff attribute the larger water/sewer rate changes to rising operating costs, construction-cost inflation, and recent capital overruns—citing the Gregory Lane water and sewer projects, the High School Road pumphouse, and council-approved use of utility fund reserves to complete those projects. The memo notes council could also consider phasing in the increases over multiple years, but says a phase-in would affect utility reserves and the timing of future capital projects. Town Council Workshop Agenda Packet.