- Home
- Government
- Departments
- Public Works
- Utility Operations
- 2023 Utility Rate Update
2023 Utility Rate Update
Introduction
The City of Bismarck is taking a look at how its drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater utility rates are designed. Part of this process includes examining different water utility rate design options. These design options highlight different approaches that can create variable water utility rate formulas. As an example, one formula may emphasize transparency as it is a flat rate per unit used for all property types across the board, allowing the public to easily calculate the monthly cost. Another example is a formula that may emphasize proportional equity, with tiered rates relative to usage, allowing the public more control over their monthly costs.
The contents of this page are intended to provide information about the "how and why" that goes into the water and sewer rate portions of the city's utility bill your home receives each month.
Public Information Open Houses
Public Works Utility Operations are hosting a pair of interactive public information open houses to help educate our public on utility rate choices facing the City Commission. There will be opportunities for the public to visit with City of Bismarck staff who work with these utility operations, receive hands-on education and materials, and provide feedback on the utility rate options under consideration.
Public Information Open House Dates |
Tuesday, January 31, 2023 Horizon Middle School Cafetorium 500 Ash Coulee Drive 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, February 1, 2023 Wachter Middle School Cafetorium 1107 South Seventh Street 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. |
Survey
The City of Bismarck has developed a short survey as one method for citizens to easily share feedback on what method they would prefer to see used for the water utility rate moving forward. Survey results will be accepted from Monday, January 30, 2023, through Sunday, February 12, 2023. A paper version of this survey will be available at the public information open houses.
Videos
December 13, 2022, City Commission Utility Rate Presentation
This video includes the presentation from Stantec to the City Commission during its December 13, 2022, meeting. Along with the presentation, the video includes commissioner discussion and some input from the public.
December 27, 2022, Utility Water Rate Update Communications Plan Presentation
City of Bismarck Communications Specialist Kalen Ost presents the water utility rate communications plan to the City Commission during its meeting on December 27, 2022.
Additional Resources
- December 13, 2022, Bismarck City Commission Utility Cost of Service & Rate Design Update Presentation Slides
- Supplemental Information
- Bill Estimator
- 2023 Utility Bill Insert
- 2023 Utility Bill Winter vs. Summer Comparison Graphic
- 2023 Utility Bill Impact Graphic
- 2023 Fixed Cost Recovery Evaluation Graphic
- 2023 Water Variable Rate Evaluation Graphic
- 2023 Water Utility Rate Survey Hard Copy
- 2022/2018 Cost to Serve vs. Current Revenue
- Example of Bill Minimum
- 2018 Utility Rate Update Resources
- City of Bismarck Water Analytics
Contact Us
If you have any specific questions regarding the above page, please email us at utilitybill@bismarcknd.gov.