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. 

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.