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IssueBaldwinunder consideration

Baldwin City Council approves FY26 Enterprise Fund budget, raises Demorest water rate 2.5%

The budget that funds the city's water, sewer and garbage operations is now approved, with a rate increase on water sold to Demorest and reserve funds set aside for wastewater treatment plant work.

By NEGA Brief NewsroomLast checked September 30, 2026
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June 26, 2025: FY2026 Enterprise Fund budget (water and sewer revenues and operating expenses)

What happens next

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At a glance

What this means now

Where it stands

On June 26, 2025, Baldwin City Council approved the FY2026 Enterprise Fund budget, covering Public Works water and sewer operations, the Water Treatment Plant, and utility billing administration. The approved budget includes a 2.50% increase in revenue from water sold to Demorest and designates restricted revenue collected under a Georgia Department of Corrections contract for wastewater treatment plant projects or debt service.

The story

At a March 4, 2025 work session, Baldwin City Council discussed a proposed Master Fee Schedule for FY2026, including enterprise fund rates for garbage, water and sewer service, with the stated goal of having it amended and effective July 1, 2025.

SourcesBaldwin 03-04-25 Work Session Agenda PacketBaldwin 03-04-25 Work Session MinutesBaldwin 03-04-25 Work Session Agenda

A March 10 council packet added proposed water/sewer meter fee schedules and a surcharge for users discharging "high strength" wastewater into the city system.

SourcesBaldwin 03-10-25 Meeting Agenda Packet

On April 10, council was presented overviews of the proposed FY2026 Water Treatment and Wastewater Treatment department budgets, with water treatment expenses projected slightly higher than FY25 and wastewater treatment expenses projected slightly lower.

SourcesBaldwin Spring 2025 Council Retreat Minutes

Draft Enterprise Fund budgets circulated at June 3 and June 9 work sessions laid out projected water and sewer revenue, total enterprise expenses, and a debt coverage ratio of 1.188.

SourcesBaldwin 06-03-25 Work Session Agenda PacketBaldwin 06-09-25 Meeting Agenda PacketBaldwin 06-26-25 Meeting Agenda Packet

On June 26, 2025, Baldwin City Council approved the FY2026 Enterprise Fund budget, covering Public Works water and sewer operations, the Water Treatment Plant, and utility billing administration. The approved budget includes a 2.50% increase in revenue from water sold to Demorest and designates restricted revenue collected under a Georgia Department of Corrections contract for wastewater treatment plant projects or debt service.

SourcesFY 26 Approved Budget

What happened

How this issue got here

Open any step for its supporting record. A proposal remains labeled as proposed until later evidence establishes an outcome.

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Restricted enterprise fund revenue under Georgia DOC contract (Lee Arrendale/Baldwin 10% reserves) designated for WWTP projects or debt service

Restricted Revenue- per DOC Contract this cannot be used on general operating and instead will be used on WWTP projects or debt service

Approved
unknown

FY2026 Enterprise Fund (Public Works/Water & Sewer, Water Treatment Plant) budget

FY26 Budget Approved 6.26.2025

Approved
unknown

Enterprise Fund utility billing/administration division FY26 budget

Total 384,787.82 309,353.05

Approved
unknown

Enterprise Fund water and sewer service revenue FY26

Total Water Revenue 3,873,710.00 3,928,875.00

Approved
unknown

2.50% water rate increase for Demorest water sales revenue

580-4700-344210-02 REVENUE - WATER SALES - DEMOREST 1,425,000.00 1,460,625.00 2.50%

Approved
unknown

Restricted Enterprise Fund revenue reserved under DOC contract (Lee Arrendale/Baldwin 10% reserves) for WWTP projects or debt service

Restricted Revenue- per DOC Contract this cannot be used on general operating and instead will be used on WWTP projects or debt service

Appeared on agenda
proposed

FY2026 Enterprise Fund (Water/Sewer/WTP) draft budget

Total Enterprise Expenses 4,967,801.48 5,157,038.33

Appeared on agenda
proposed

FY2026 Enterprise Fund budget (water and sewer revenues and operating expenses)

FY26 Budget PROPOSED ENTERPRISE FUND

Appeared on agenda
proposed

FY2026 Enterprise Fund budget (draft)

Total Enterprise Expenses 4,967,801.48 5,152,038.33

Appeared on agenda
proposed

FY2026 Enterprise Fund (Water and Sewer) budget, including WWTP and Public Works operations

ENTERPRISE FUND REVENUE 12 FY26 DRAFT 5.30.2025

Appeared on agenda
proposed

FY2026 Water Treatment Plant debt coverage ratio calculation

Debt Coverage Ratio= 1.188

Appeared on agenda
proposed

FY2026 Enterprise Fund debt coverage ratio calculation

Debt Coverage Ratio= 1.188

Appeared on agenda
proposed

FY26 Enterprise Fund (Water/Sewer) budget draft

Total Water Revenue 3,873,710.00 3,923,875.00 Total Sewer Revenue 1,263,536.50 1,331,571.54 Total Restricted Revenue 125,000.00

Appeared on agenda
proposed

FY2026 draft Enterprise Fund budget (Public Works, General Administration, Water Treatment Plant expenses)

Total Enterprise Expenses 4,967,801.48 5,152,038.33

Discussed
discussed

FY2026 Water Treatment Department budget

Holliday presented an overview of the Water Treatment Facility and the proposed FY26 budget, with total expenses to be slightly higher than FY25

Discussed
discussed

FY2026 Wastewater Treatment Department budget

Holliday then presented an overview of the Wastewater Treatment facility and the proposed FY26 budget, with total expenses still projected to be slightly less than FY25

Appeared on agenda
proposed

Water/sewer meter fee schedule and high-strength wastewater surcharge

All users discharging "high strength" wastewater into the City of Baldwin Wastewater System shall be

Appeared on agenda
proposed

FY26 Enterprise Fund fee schedule (garbage, water, sewer rates and system connection fees)

Enterprise Fund Fees FY26

Discussed
discussed

Master Fee Schedule for FY2026 (effective July 1, 2025)

The goal is to have this Master Fee Schedule amended for Fiscal Year 2026, effective July 1, 2025.

Discussed
discussed

Master Fee Schedule

Discussion of Master Fee Schedule

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