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FY2026/27 budget adopted with an 11% water and sewer fee increase
The council adopted the FY2026/27 budget 4-1 (Councilmember Les Simpson opposed). The budget includes an 8% increase to water and sewer fees for capital improvements and a 3% increase for debt service on the $60 million Hollywood Road loan. Mayor Cole Stanley asked for a possible decrease if the consultant's study finds the full increase is not needed.[1][2]
Cole StanleyLes SimpsonDonny HooperDavid Prescott
What the sources say
- ⚠ Sources differ
Reported water and sewer fee increase in the FY2026/27 budget.
Reported value 1[1]
- Increase
- 11%
- Capital
- 8%
- Debt service
- 3%
Adopted budget, per Amarillo Tribune (Sept 30, 2026): 8% for capital improvements plus 3% for debt service on the $60 million Hollywood Road loan.
Reported value 2[2]
- Increase
- 8%
Proposed budget as previewed by ABC7 the day before the vote (Sept 28, 2026), to finance capital projects.
- ⚠ Sources differ
Reported monthly bill impacts for a 10,000-gallon residential user differ by the rate assumed.
Reported value 1[1]
- Water increase
- $5
- Sewer increase
- $5
- Basis
- 11%, smallest meter
Tribune: at 11% the water fee rises $4.89-$60.61 and the sewer fee $4.50-$11.88 per month depending on meter size.
Reported value 2[2]
- Water from
- $45
- Water to
- $48
- Sewer from
- $41
- Sewer to
- $44
- Basis
- 8%, 5/8-inch meter
ABC7 preview: combined about $6.83 more per month.
- ✓ Verified
The council adopted the FY2026/27 budget and a $0.4307 tax rate, each by a 4-1 vote with Councilmember Les Simpson opposed. Staff identified $247 million in water and sewer projects beyond the wastewater treatment facility projects.[1]
- Vote for
- 4
- Vote against
- 1
- Other ws projects
- $247,000,000
- ✓ Verified
Donny Hooper, Assistant City Manager; David Prescott, Councilmember: Assistant City Manager Donny Hooper said: "Do as much as we can this year, try to come up with a new budget next year." Councilmember David Prescott said: "We have to be able to weather all economic conditions with the most valuable resource we have."[1]