Johnston City Council Work Session - April 20, 2026

The City of Johnston, Iowa City Council held a work session on April 20, 2026, focused primarily on reviewing and discussing potential changes to the city's water and sewer rate structures. The session included detailed presentations on current water usage data, rate structures for residential and commercial users, and the financial implications of proposed rate adjustments. Key procurement-related topics included the consideration of tiered irrigation rates, equivalent volume ratios for different meter sizes, and the impact of these changes on large water users such as schools and industrial customers. The council discussed the need to balance revenue requirements with encouraging water conservation and the potential phased implementation of new rates starting in fiscal year 2027. There was also discussion about the use of smart meters to better manage irrigation demand and detect leaks. No specific contract awards or vendor selections were made during this session, but the council indicated the need for further analysis and follow-up before finalizing rate changes, particularly concerning large commercial users and the Northwest annexation area.