By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
The Northfield City Council has approved the utility rates for next year, and all four of the city’s funds —Stormwater, Wastewater (Sewer), Garbage, and Water —are set to see increases. The increase across all rates represents, on average, about a $6 monthly increase this year. Money collected from the utility bill is allocated to each of the separate funds and can only be used for projects and operations related to that specific utility.
Most of the discussion focused on the Water Fund, and two options were presented to the council: a 4% increase or a 9% increase. The difference in the water increase was either $3.61 or $4.91 for the average customer.
Overall, City Staff cited several projects that needed to be completed in the coming years to keep the drinking water system operating. Here’s Justin Wagner, the City Utilities Manager, at the October 7th City Council Meeting:
Listen to the News:
“There is also a lot of future in the near-term, future projects. So, water tower [construction in the Northwest area], water meter replacement, and painting of our existing water towers. So those are millions of dollars in just maintenance costs for those. So it’s planning to get the reserve to make sure that we have enough cash for those projects, being able to fund those.” – Justin Wagner, Northfield Utilities Manager at the 10/7/2025 City Council Meeting
The main difference between the two proposals was whether they had plans to begin saving to build a water treatment plant. The city council had previously rejected building a water treatment plant in the spring over concerns about the construction cost. The plant is being proposed to address the high amounts of manganese in city water for pregnant mothers and infants. The plan would be to construct the plant in 2030.
Councilor Peter Dahen expressed his support for the 4% option and only completing the baseline projects:
“It sends a signal to the voters, to the ratepayers, that we are paying attention to what it costs to live in Northfield. And so the lower the number, the better, until we know exactly what project we’re going to shoot for.” – Peter Dahlen, Northfield City Councilor at the 10/7/2025 City Council Meeting
Councilor Davin Sokup voiced his support for the Water Treatment Plant:
“I supported the water treatment plant that we voted on earlier this year, and I respect the reasons that it didn’t pass. I think if we can mitigate those reasons, and it can pass in the future, that’s what I hope for.” – Davin Sokup, Northfield City Council at the 10/7/2025 City Council Meeting
Ultimately, the council voted in favor of the 9% increase, with Mayor Erica Zwiefel and Councilors Sokup, Jessica Peterson-White, and Kathleen Holmes voting in favor, while Councilors Brad Ness, Chad Beumer, and Peter Dahlen voted for the 4% option.
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