Findlay utility revenue shows growth

FINDLAY — Findlay's latest quarterly utilities report shows steady revenue growth across the city's water, sewer and stormwater funds, along with a mixed picture of how each system is performing so far this year. The report, shared with the Water and Sewer Committee and forwarded to council, shows all three utilities brought in more billed revenue over the past 12 months. Water billing increased by $86,780, sewer by $18,300, and stormwater by $4,639 compared with the previous year. Water remains the city's strongest fund. Through the first quarter of 2026, it brought in $2.84 million in revenue and spent $2.17 million, leaving a surplus of $671,654. Stormwater is also running ahead, with $204,698. in revenue and $45,368 in expenses. Sewer operations are moving in the opposite direction. The fund has collected $2.66 million so far this year but has spent $2.94 million, creating a deficit of $277,608. The report also includes multi-year charts showing how each fund has performed since 2024. Water and sewer both finished 2024 with multi-million-dollar surpluses. In 2025, water ended slightly below break-even, while sewer and stormwater stayed positive. Alongside the financial data, the report provides a snapshot of March billing activity. The city completed 148 shutoffs in Cycle 1 and six in Cycle 3, for a total of 154 disconnections during the month. Staff issued 1,450 penalties, and late fees and trip charges added up to $16,739. Delinquent accounts more than 90 days overdue totaled $14,461 as of March 31. That includes 77 water accounts, 50 sewer accounts and 41 stormwater accounts, with water customers owing $7,819 of the total. The city also continues to use Remote Disconnect Devices (RDDs), which allow staff to shut off service without visiting a property. No new devices were installed in March, but the city used RDDs for 27 shutoffs. The report lists 348 devices available, with 137 installed and 74 more planned for future installation. The quarterly reports are part of the city's strategy to avert unexpected rate changes — and the accompanying public backlash — that occurred with the 2024 water rate hike. A 50% increase in the city's water rates took effect on Jan. 1, 2024. The city's last water rate increase before that was in 2011.