Ridgeland council adopts water and sewer rate increases; residents press council on irrigation charges
Summary
Council approved second reading of an ordinance to raise water and sewer rates (5% water, 7% sewer) for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025; public commenters urged council to reconsider high irrigation charges and asked about allowing private irrigation wells.
The Town of Ridgeland approved second reading of an ordinance amending water and sewer rates for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, following recommendations from a rate study.
Council discussed a consultant recommendation to raise rates roughly 5% for water and about 7% for sewer; a council member spoke to the rate study and moved the ordinance on second reading. The motion carried on a voice vote.
Multiple residents used the public-hearing period to urge the council to revisit irrigation charges. One resident said irrigation “is to help beautify our community” and asked the council to “seriously reduce” planned increases because higher irrigation costs could discourage property owners from maintaining landscaping. Another speaker said irrigation bills on some properties ran “between $200 and $400 a month” when irrigation meters were used.
Staff explained that irrigation meters are billed at a lower per-thousand-gallon rate than potable residential water (irrigation cited at $8.48 per thousand in the presentation example) and that the current rate adjustments follow a consultant-led cost-of-service study intended to align rates with the cost to provide service.
Council members asked staff to consider irrigation customers’ concerns but also noted the town’s need to avoid subsidizing service classes by charging below cost of service. Council adopted the ordinance on second reading.
