06/02/2026
Last night, our City Council faced a difficult decision, one in which neither option was ideal.
They had to choose between:
• Slightly raising water rates to maintain our target reserve level and continue funding all the necessary capital improvement projects, or
• Keep rates at the 2021 level, but risk a lower reserve and having to cut back on critical infrastructure projects.
After careful consideration, the Council voted to approve a modest rate increase with a 4-to-1 vote. This decision keeps Oakdale financially responsible while ensuring we can maintain and improve our water system for the future.
Even with this small adjustment:
• Oakdale remains the third-lowest water provider among neighboring cities
• The average residential customer will see a fixed rate increase of just $0.42.
• A typical household using approximately 11,000 gallons of water per month will see an increase of about $1.77 per month.
• The average monthly water bill will increase from $47.94 to $49.71
It’s important to note that the City has not raised water rates for the past four fiscal years, even as inflation has significantly increased costs. Making this prudent decision now helps protect our long-term stability.
We appreciate the community’s understanding as we work hard to deliver reliable, high-quality water service at one of the most affordable rates in the area.
