# October 8, 2026 Utility Policy Committee

The City of Kalamazoo Utility Policy Committee met on October 8, 2026. The committee voted 6–0 to recommend the 2027 drinking-water rates to the City Commission, including an 8% structural increase using the rate study’s Option B methodology. It also recommended no change to the 2027 system capacity buy-in fee and approved recommendations for 2027 water-service installation charges: a standard hookup was cited at about $7,400, up $200 from the current $7,200, while lead-service replacements were estimated at about $10,000. These were committee recommendations for City Commission consideration, not final rate approvals. The committee also approved three professional-services invoices, including Maine and Meridian invoice #51105, Prime and Newhoff invoice #98649, and Hafner Group invoice #1166; the last vote was recorded as 5–0, with one abstention and one absence. The City Commission had separately approved design-engineering contracts for well consolidation and replacement of three wells at Station 25; no contract amounts were stated. Staff said minor, non-material CIP adjustments may be needed to address water-system assessment findings, including security improvements and facility repairs.

The committee discussed policy issues with potential effects on future utility projects and vendor opportunities. It formed an expansion policy committee, led by Tom Weed with Libby, Director Baker, and others as needed, to develop consistent approaches to water-system extensions and cost sharing, including developer contributions and possible payback arrangements. For cell-tower requests on utility properties, members discussed further policy review, including long-term environmental and legacy impacts and a method for gathering community feedback; no cell-tower approval was made. Wellhead-protection performance standards and coordination of township data and review processes are expected to return for further consideration, with a recommendation anticipated in November.

**Jurisdictions:** sled
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities, Construction & Infrastructure
**Topics:** Physical Infrastructure
**Published:** October 08, 2026

### Sources
- [October 8, 2026 Utility Policy Committee](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nIsuW85q7Y) - City of Kalamazoo