ORDINANCE
STATE OF LOUISIANA NO. 12,284
CITY OF MONROE
The following Ordinance was introduced by Ezernack , who moved for its adoption and was seconded by Muhammad :
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 36-23(a) (WATER RATES) OF THE CITY OF MONROE CODE AND FURTHER PROVIDING WITH RESPECT THERETO.
WHEREAS, Ordinance No. 12,242 amended Section 36-23 of the City of Monroe Code to establish new water rates for consumers and to provide an annual process for reviewing and implementing new water rates;
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 36-23(d), on December 29, 2025, the Department of Administration submitted its annual report on the water system and recommended that the City Council implement an increase in the water rate for consumers inside the City limits, with a corresponding increase in rates for consumers outside the City limits and those consumers qualifying for lifeline rates; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to implement the recommended increase, 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 36-23(a) of the Code of Ordinances of Monroe, Louisiana, is hereby amended to read as follows, with all other provisions remaining unchanged:
Sec. 36-23. Water Rates
- Water rate for consumers shall be:
- For consumers inside the City limits:
| 0-1,000,000 gallons (per 1,000 gallons) | $5.30 |
| > 1,000,000 gallons (per 1,000 gallons) | $4.76 |
- For consumers outside the City limits:
| 0-1,000,000 gallons (per 1,000 gallons) | 150% of the respective rates inside the City limits |
| > 1,000,000 gallons (per 1,000 gallons) |
- For consumers qualifying for lifeline rates:
| 0-1,000,000 gallons (per 1,000 gallons) | 85% of the respective rate of inside the city limits |
| > 1,000,000 gallons (per 1,000 gallons) |
- Water rates shall be reviewed and adjusted annually, as necessary, based on the financial condition of the water system, including its assets and liabilities, and any debt obligations or covenants secured by the water system or its operations.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that the increase in water rates implemented by this amendment shall be effective May 1, 2026.
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, Woods, 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