Trenton proposes utility rate freeze through 2032

By Bryn Dippold - Staff Writer - Jul 10, 2026 Updated Jul 16, 2026

Trenton proposes utility rate freeze through 2032, citing data center revenue

Trenton officials are proposing to restrict water and sewer rate increases for most residents through 2032, citing new revenue tied to a planned data center development and recent improvements in the city’s utility system.

Under legislation introduced Thursday, July 9, customers who use less than 8,000 gallons of water per month would be protected from rate increases until Jan. 1, 2032, according to a city staff report.

Finance Director Matthew Mesisklis said a typical family of four uses about 6,500 gallons of water each month, meaning most residential customers would fall within the protected category.

Customers using more than 8,000 gallons monthly would still receive the benefit on their first 8,000 gallons of usage. Any consumption above that amount would be subject to possible rate increases.

Manufacturer plans $150M investment at former Middletown paper mill, creating 56 jobs

City officials said the action is possible because of increased revenue generated through improvements that reduced water loss, development activity within the Trenton Industrial Park and payments associated with a planned data center.

Water and sewer tap-in fees from the data center project have already generated approximately $2.7 million for the city’s water system accounts, providing funding for debt service and capital improvements.

The staff report noted that water and sewer rates increased 1% between January 2021 and May 2026, compared with a 21.2% increase in federal inflation during the same period.

Without intervention, pressures from inflation would have required water rates to increase by roughly 3.6% annually from 2027 through 2031, according to city projections.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

Photo Credit: Trenton officials propose restricting some water and sewer rate increases, citing revenue from data center development. Nick Graham / STAFF