Dunkirk Passes New Water Maintenance Fee for Meter and Infrastructure Upkeep

From the Dunkirk City Council meeting on June 22, 2026

The Dunkirk City Council unanimously passed Ordinance 26-5, establishing a new water maintenance fee that will appear on each customer's monthly water bill.

The fee will fund a dedicated account for maintaining the city's water system, including future replacement of the city's recently installed smart water meters, radio equipment, and general water infrastructure upkeep. City Attorney Wes said the smart meter investment prompted the new fee.

No members of the public spoke during the required public hearing before the vote.

The city had hoped to include the fee on July 1 billing, but the clerk-treasurer indicated it may not be implemented until August billing. The specific per-customer dollar amount was not stated during the meeting.

The water maintenance fee is one of two fee changes approved at the June 22 meeting. The council also cut the annual stormwater fee in half.

Source: Meeting transcript — City of Dunkirk - City Council Meeting - June 22, 2026

Some information may be inaccurate due to video audio quality.