· Context
Fermi agreement raised at the FY2026/27 budget hearing on water and sewer fees
During the hearing on a budget with an 11% water and sewer fee increase, a resident asked where the concern about water had been a year earlier during the Fermi vote. Mayor Stanley said the council thought it had made "a pretty good business decision" and that the City had never sold a water right. Councilmember Prescott said water shortages in area towns were "not because of data centers" and that aquifers were dropping because of agricultural overproduction.[1]
Cole StanleyDavid PrescottFermi America (Fermi, Inc.)
What the sources say
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Cole Stanley, Mayor: At the September 29, 2026 budget hearing Mayor Stanley said: "We thought we were making a pretty good business decision," and that "we've never sold a water right."[1]
- ✓ Verified
David Prescott, City Councilmember (Place 3): Councilmember Prescott said water shortages in area towns were "not because of data centers" and that aquifers were dropping 5 to 7 feet in some areas because of agricultural overproduction.[1]
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The City has not publicly tied the FY2026/27 water and sewer fee increase to the Fermi agreement: coverage of the adopted budget attributes the 11% increase to capital improvements (8%) and debt service on the $60 million Hollywood Road loan (3%), and the City's Fermi page states the agreement will not affect residential water rates.[1][2]