09/11/2026
Spearman City Manager Jamey Piper provides information on recent utility recent rate adjustments and what these changes will mean for the average residential customer. The proposed increases are relatively modest and are intended to keep pace with the City's increasing costs of providing these services.
Water
The base water rate will increase 2%, from $19.65 to $20.04 per month. For comparison, the previous water rate increase in 2023 was approximately 1.2%.
The usage rates will also increase slightly:
1,000–6,000 gallons: $2.94 → $3.00 per 1,000 gallons6,001–12,000 gallons: $3.29 → $3.36 per 1,000 gallons12,001–25,000 gallons: $3.69 → $3.76 per 1,000 gallons25,001-100,000 gallons: $4.59 → $4.68 per 1,000 gallons
For an average residential customer using approximately 5,000 gallons per month, the monthly bill will increase from approximately $31.41 to $32.04, or $0.63 per month.
Trash
The monthly residential trash rate for a single-family residence will increase from $30.25 to $30.86, an increase of $0.61 per month.
The previous adjustment in 2023 was approximately 1.1%.
Natural Gas
The standard demand charge will increase from $21.25 to $21.68 per month. The volume charge will increase from $3.24 to $3.30, in addition to the standard rate charged by the City's gas supplier.
The previous gas rate adjustment in 2023 was approximately 30%, making the proposed adjustment significantly smaller by comparison.
For the average residential customer, the estimated impact will be approximately:
Summer months: +$0.55 per monthWinter months: +$1.33 per month
Sewer
The standard sewer charge will increase from $30.25 to $30.86 per month, an increase of $0.61 per month.
The previous sewer rate adjustment in 2023 was approximately 0.8%.
Because the average residential customer pays the standard charge, the typical customer will see an increase of approximately $0.61 per month.
Overall Residential Impact
Taken individually, each of these adjustments represents a relatively small monthly increase for the average residential customer. The goal is to make the necessary adjustments to our utility rates while minimizing the impact on residents.
For the average household, the proposed changes represent approximately:
Water: +$0.63/monthTrash: +$0.61/monthSewer: +$0.61/monthNatural Gas: +$0.55/month in summer and +$1.33/month in winter
This equates to an estimated combined increase of approximately $2.40 per month during the summer and $3.18 per month during the winter, depending on the customer's actual gas usage.
Figuring 8 months of warm and 4 months of cold we estimate the average household will see a total increase of $31.92 per year or $2.66 per month.
