Utility Billing Rate Increase FAQ

A. In 2022, 81% of Boise residents voted in favor of the Water Renewal Bond, approving incremental increases for water renewal (sewer) rates every year. The water bond helps fund repairs and improvements to critical water renewal infrastructure, keeping our community and river safe and healthy. This bond allowed customers to pay smaller utility bill increases over time, instead of a 53% initial increase.

This year (2024), the proposed increase is 13.2%. This increase was approved by city council in August 2024 to go into effect on October 1, 2024. Water renewal utility bills will continue to increase each year until 2040, per the citizen-approved bond.

A. You may have seen an increase on your June/July utility bill due to an increase in your winter water usage. The city evaluates winter water usage for each household to determine the average amount of water used per year, and if your household used more water this year compared to last year, your utility bill will increase. Learn more about water use increases here.

In September/October you will see the annual October rate increases, approved by the passing of the 2022 Water Renewal Bond. October rate increases are determined by the cost of improvements needed for the critical water renewal infrastructure that keeps our city clean and healthy.

Budgets are proposed at the end of June and approved in August by city council. If you would like to see notes from meetings and the upcoming schedule for Boise City Council, go to CityOfBoise.org/Departments/City-Council/

A. Water renewal (sewer) and solid waste (trash) are billed to customers separately from property taxes. Separate billing allows each individual household to be responsible only for the cost of utilities that they use. Utility bills are based on use, not property tax rates, and are proportional to the size of the household or business.

A. The cost to collect trash, recycling and compostable materials from residential and commercial customers has increased over the past several years. We have experienced significant increases in the costs for labor, vehicle maintenance, equipment, disposal and processing costs. The City of Boise prioritizes keeping trash service affordable for our residents while providing the services our customers ask for. Service for a typical household which includes trash, recycling and compost collection, Household Hazardous Waste mobile collection, bulky waste pick-up and free compost, will still only cost slightly over $25 per month after the rate increase.

A. You can keep your utility costs low by conserving water in your home year-round and reducing, reusing, recycling and composting. Conserving water and limiting the amount of waste sent to the landfill keeps our city clean and healthy, and can help reduce your utility bills too.

A. The City of Boise has several programs to help those who are experiencing hardship to pay their bills. Visit the financial assistance page to learn more and find out if you qualify.