Gahanna Proposes 2027 Utility Rate Increases for Water, Sewer, and Refuse
The city administration submitted 2027 utility rate updates as an emergency measure, citing Columbus wholesale rate hikes and operational needs.
The Gahanna city administration has submitted proposed rate changes to municipal code sections governing sewer rental, water rates, and pickup and disposal fees for 2027. Under the measure, the updated rate schedule would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
The adjustments respond in part to the City of Columbus, which has proposed rate increases for its water and sanitary sewer services in 2027 that affect the cost of delivering utility services to Gahanna customers. Beyond wholesale charges, the Gahanna Department of Public Service recommended fee adjustments for refuse collection, the Columbus Consent Order surcharge, and recycling cart replacements to reflect projected service costs along with operational and capital needs. The service department conducts an annual review of utility rates to determine necessary adjustments across water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, and refuse rates.
City legislative records show the draft ordinance was assigned to Council's Committee of the Whole. City meeting records list the Committee of the Whole beginning at 7:00 PM, Nov. 9, 2026, in Council Chambers at the Gahanna Civic Center.
The ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure because timely establishment of utility rates and fees is necessary to ensure their implementation beginning Jan. 1, 2027, putting the measure into effect immediately upon passage and approval by the mayor.
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Supporting evidence (7)
The Gahanna city administration has submitted proposed rate changes to municipal code sections governing sewer rental, water rates, and pickup and disposal fees for 2027.
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WHEREAS, the Administration has submitted proposed amendments to Sections 921.11 – Sewer Rental Rates, 929.12 – Water Rates, and 941.15 – Pickup and Disposal Fees, of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Gahanna to establish the applicable rates and fees for 2027; and
Under the measure, the updated rate schedule would take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
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Section 4. That the rates and fees established by this Ordinance shall take effect January 1, 2027.
The adjustments respond in part to the City of Columbus, which has proposed rate increases for its water and sanitary sewer services in 2027 that affect the cost of delivering utility services to Gahanna customers.
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WHEREAS, the City of Columbus has proposed increases to its water and sanitary sewer rates for 2027, affecting the cost of providing utility services to customers of the City of Gahanna; and
Beyond wholesale charges, the Gahanna Department of Public Service recommended fee adjustments for refuse collection, the Columbus Consent Order surcharge, and recycling cart replacements to reflect projected service costs along with operational and capital needs.
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WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service has recommended adjustments to the City's water and sanitary sewer rates, Columbus Consent Order surcharge, refuse collection rates, and recycling cart replacement fees to reflect projected service costs and operational and capital needs; and
The service department conducts an annual review of utility rates to determine necessary adjustments across water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, and refuse rates.
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WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service annually reviews the City's utility rates and applicable provisions of the Gahanna Code to determine necessary adjustments to water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, and refuse service rates and fees; and
City legislative records show the draft ordinance was assigned to Council's Committee of the Whole.
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{Body=Committee of the Whole, Content type=Legislation, Document coverage=API text and document metadata; linked PDF bytes are not retained, File=ORD-0045-2026, Legislation type=Ordinance, Municipality=gahanna, Status=In Draft, Text version=1}
The ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure because timely establishment of utility rates and fees is necessary to ensure their implementation beginning Jan. 1, 2027, putting the measure into effect immediately upon passage and approval by the mayor.
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Section 5. That, for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and welfare, and for the further reason that timely establishment of utility rates and fees is necessary to ensure their implementation beginning January 1, 2027. Therefore, this Ordinance shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its passage and approval by the Mayor, or at the earliest period allowed by law.
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Supporting evidence (2)
City meeting records list the Committee of the Whole beginning at 7:00 PM, Nov. 9, 2026, in Council Chambers at the Gahanna Civic Center.
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Committee of the Whole beginning at 7:00 PM, Nov. 9, 2026.
City meeting records list the Committee of the Whole beginning at 7:00 PM, Nov. 9, 2026, in Council Chambers at the Gahanna Civic Center.
Read supporting passage
Gahanna Civic Center, Council Chambers