Corvallis City Council votes latest round of price hikes on your water bill.
The average residential customer will see their monthly bill increase by approximately $19.66.
Photo by Gem/The Corvallis Inquirer
What Corvallis Residents Need to Know for 2026
CORVALLIS – Local residents opening their city services bills this month may notice a significant jump in the total. Following a vote by the Corvallis City Council, a new round of rate adjustments for essential city services officially took effect on February 1, 2026.
The increases are part of a multi-year “transition plan” designed to address aging infrastructure and rising operational costs. According to city estimates, the average residential customer will see their monthly bill increase by approximately $19.66.
The Hard Numbers: 2025 vs. 2026
The hike affects nearly every category of the city services bill, from water and wastewater to public safety and forestry. Below is a breakdown of the changes for an average residential account:
Monthly Increase in Service Fee:
Water: $37.45 → $40.82
Wastewater: $45.67 → $50.01
Stormwater: $11.20 → 12.26
Fire Public Safety: $17.34 → 21.46
Police Public Safety: $16.30 → 18.62
Urban Forestry: $1.15 → $3.90
Why the Increase?
City officials, including Public Information Officer Patrick Rollens, have stated that these fees are necessary to ensure the community can rely on core services. The primary drivers for the 2026 adjustments include:
Infrastructure Replacement: Massive investments are needed to replace aging water mains and sewage lines.
Inflation: The cost of materials, equipment, and personnel has risen sharply over the last two years.
Public Safety: Enhanced funding is directed toward maintaining police service levels and staffing a new ambulance unit for the Fire Department.
The “4% Plus Inflation” Rule
The current increases are part of a five-year transition plan approved in late 2024. The plan envisions an average annual increase of 4% plus standard inflationary adjustments. However, specific service areas—like Urban Forestry and Fire Services—have seen much higher percentage jumps this year to close critical funding gaps.
Help for Residents
For those struggling to manage the higher costs, the city has increased its Low-Income Assistance Fee from $0.96 to $1.48 per month. This fund is specifically earmarked to help income-eligible community members pay their monthly bills.
Residents who wish to discuss these rates or other city matters can attend the Government Comment Corner at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library, held most Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to noon.
— The Corvallis Inquirer, Feb. 22, 2026
→ Support us
We’ll keep it ad free even if you don’t.
