ORDINANCE
STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 12,283
CITY OF MONROE
The following Ordinance was introduced by Muhammad , who moved for its adoption and was seconded by Ezernack :
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 30-7 (SEWER RATES) OF THE CITY OF MONROE CODE AND FURTHER PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 11,837 amended Section 30-7 of the City of Monroe Code to establish new sewer rates for consumers and provided for annual adjustments in the sewer rate based on the Consumer Price Index;
WHEREAS, the costs associated with operating and maintaining the City of Monroe sewer system, including infrastructure maintenance, regulatory compliance, and operational expenses, have increased since the last amendment;
WHEREAS, the City of Monroe engaged FG Solutions, LLC to conduct a sewer rate study and recommend new sewer rates to support the City’s sewer system;
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to amend Section 30-7 to ensure that sewer rates remain sufficient to defray the costs of providing sewer services and to support the continued, safe, and reliable operation of the sewer system;
WHEREAS, the City of Monroe also desires to align the criteria for lifeline rates with the criteria for water rates; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to implement these increases and changes, effective May 1, 2026.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Monroe, in legal and regular session convened, that Section 30-7 of the Code of Ordinances of Monroe, Louisiana, is hereby amended to read as follows:
Sec. 30-7. – Sewer rates.
- Sewer rate for consumers shall be:
| Inside city limits (per 1,000 gallons) | $6.29 |
| Outside city limits (per 1,000 gallons) | $9.38 |
| Lifeline Rate (per 1,000 gallons) | 85% of the respective rate |
- Sewer rates shall be adjusted upward on an annual basis for each fiscal year in the same proportion as the increase of the Consumer Price Index (as calculated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics) compared to the prior year end date (December 30). Commencing January 1, 2027, and annually as of each January 1 thereafter, such adjustment shall be calculated and determined, and the adjusted rates shall become effective as of the first day of the new fiscal year (May 1). These rate adjustments shall be automatic and shall be calculated and determined administratively and shall not exceed four (4) percent in a year.
- The lifeline utility rate may be extended to consumers who are eligible under the following conditions and criteria:
- Only one (1) application per individual is allowed for the lifeline utility sewer rate.
- The utility sewer account shall be in the name of the individual owner or renter residing in the residence certifying eligibility for the lifeline utility sewer rate.
- Only one (1) single family residential utility account shall receive the lifeline utility sewer rate for each applicant and for each property served.
- Allowed usage per month for accounts receiving lifeline utility sewer rate will be up to a maximum of five thousand (5,000) gallons. All usage over five thousand (5,000) gallons will be charged at the current non-lifeline utility sewer rate.
- The individual shall be or exceed sixty-two (62) years of age at the time of filing or be permanently disabled under guidelines established by the Social Security Administration or Veteran’s Administration.
- In addition to age and/or disability requirement stated above, the individual applicant must meet the income limits set annually by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (“HUD”) concerning eligibility for HUD-assisted housing programs, Section 8.
- Individuals must apply in person for the lifeline utility sewer rate at Customer Service, Tax and Revenue Division, Department of Administration. The application must be notarized, have attached copies of Social Security Administration or Veteran’s Administration documented-disabilities, financial documents for HUD eligibility, and a copy of driver’s licenses or birth certificate.
- Determination of eligibility and renewal shall be made by the director of administration, or his/her designee.
- The application is valid for one (1) calendar year beginning January 1 and ending December 31. All applications are required to be renewed annually and in person prior to January 1st of next year. All lifeline rate applications not renewed by January 15th of the application year will be terminated and revert back to the normal utility sewer rate.
- Any account holder that is delinquent or has caused the city to write off debts owed by the account holder is not eligible for the lifeline utility sewer rate.
- Any account that becomes delinquent for more than sixty (60) days will be ruled ineligible for the lifeline utility sewer rate for the rest of the current year.
- Any abuse or fraud of the lifeline utility sewer rate will be considered theft of city services and may be prosecuted accordingly.
This Ordinance was introduced on January 13, 2026.
Notice published on January 16, 2026 and February 5, 2026.
This Ordinance having been submitted in writing, introduced, and published, was then submitted to a vote as a whole, the vote thereon being as follows:
AYES: Ezernack, Wood, McFarland & Muhammad
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Harvey.
And the Ordinance was declared ADOPTED on February 10, 2026.
Rodney McFarland, I
CHAIRPERSON
Carolus S. Riley
CITY CLERK
Oliver Friday Ellis
MAYOR’S APPROVAL
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MAYOR’S VETO