The Manhattan City Commission will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Commission Room at City Hall to discuss water and wastewater rates, and stormwater rates, in preparation for the 2026 budget development process later this summer.
The City said that ased on commission feedback, staff will develop a formal recommendation and present proposed updates for adoption later this year.
Public Works staff also annually present a utility update for the Stormwater Fund to the City Commission during budget season. The current base rate of $9.01 is used to fund operations and capital projects. A levee surcharge of $2.50 is used strictly for bond payments on the recently completed levee improvements project. A second phase of the levee project for the levee gate closure with the Union Pacific Railroad is anticipated in 2026 or 2027.
The commissioners also will hear an overview of the draft 2026 budget and assessed valuation. The City has many external revenue sources monitored on a regular basis. Revenue sources include property taxes, utility fees, sales taxes, and other revenues such as franchise fees (gas/electricity/cable), transient guest taxes, program revenues, fines, and permit fees.