Ordinance No. O-26-25City of Kaufman (Kaufman County)

Consider and take appropriate action on Ordinance O-19-26, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Kaufman, Texas, repealing Ordinance No. O-26-25 and amending Section A8.002, “Water Rates”, and Section A8.003, “Sewer Rates”, of Article A8.000, “Utilities”, of Appendix A, “Fee Schedule”, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Kaufman to adopt increased rates for water and sewer services; providing for the incorporation of premises; providing amendments; providing a severability clause;

Bastiat Overreach Score: 52/100

Passed: 2026-08-17 • Effective: 2026-08-17

Executive Summary & Impact

This ordinance amends the existing retail and wholesale water rates for all water and sewer customers, increasing the existing water rate by 8.6%. This is the same increase that our wholesale rate will see from the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), our wholesale water provider. NTMWD justifies their increase to customers based on the following circumstances: • Maintaining aging infrastructure to ensure reliability; • Complying with increasing regulatory requirements; and • Constructing projects/infrastructure to keep up with growing needs and demands. In addition, last year, the City conducted a rate study to evaluate the water and sewer rates. Water utility rate studies provide transparency into what the utility fund can expect in the years ahead. It further helps ensure the City has the financial resources needed to meet the budget, maintain infrastructure, grow the distribution system, explore new technologies, and implement the capital improvement plan (CIP). The rate study recommended increasing both water and sewer rates for residential, commercial, public schools, multi-unit residential, multi-unit commercial, and senior accounts by 8.6%.

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Legislative Enactment & Roll-Call History

20. • City Council Meeting2026-08-17

Consider and take appropriate action on Ordinance O-19-26, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Kaufman, Texas, repealing Ordinance No. O-26-25 and amending Section A8.002, “Water Rates”, and Section A8.003, “Sewer Rates”, of Article A8.000, “Utilities”, of Appendix A, “Fee Schedule”, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Kaufman to adopt increased rates for water and sewer services; providing for the incorporation of premises; providing amendments; providing a severability clause;

Outcome: PASSED (6-0) • Consider and take appropriate action on Ordinance O-19-26, an Ordinance of the City Council of the City of Kaufman, Texas, repealing Ordinance No. O-26-25 and amending Section A8.002, “Water Rates”, and Section A8.003, “Sewer Rates”, of Article A8.000, “Utilities”, of Appendix A, “Fee Schedule”, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Kaufman to adopt increased rates for water and sewer services; providing for the incorporation of premises; providing amendments; providing a severability clause;

Official Legal Text & Codified Sections

OFFICIAL LEGISLATIVE RECORD — CITY OF KAUFMAN
Instrument / Docket Number: Ordinance No. O-26-25 (Agenda Item 20.)
Meeting: City Council Meeting
Date Enacted: 2026-08-17
Roll-Call Outcome: PASSED (5 YES - 0 NO)
Category: Taxes & Fees

VERBATIM DOCKET TEXT & SUMMARY:
This ordinance amends the existing retail and wholesale water rates for all water and sewer customers, increasing the existing water rate by 8.6%. This is the same increase that our wholesale rate will see from the North Texas Municipal Water District (NTMWD), our wholesale water provider. NTMWD justifies their increase to customers based on the following circumstances: • Maintaining aging infrastructure to ensure reliability; • Complying with increasing regulatory requirements; and • Constructing projects/infrastructure to keep up with growing needs and demands. In addition, last year, the City conducted a rate study to evaluate the water and sewer rates. Water utility rate studies provide transparency into what the utility fund can expect in the years ahead. It further helps ensure the City has the financial resources needed to meet the budget, maintain infrastructure, grow the distribution system, explore new technologies, and implement the capital improvement plan (CIP). The rate study recommended increasing both water and sewer rates for residential, commercial, public schools, multi-unit residential, multi-unit commercial, and senior accounts by 8.6%.