Akron City Council Passes Water Rate Freeze Ordinance for Fiscal 2027, Holding Steady Monthly Utility Bills for Residents

Akron City Council approved Ordinance 2026-45 on July 7 at City Hall, freezing water and sewer rates at 2026 levels for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027. The 9-2 vote applies to all accounts served by the Akron Public Utilities Department, covering roughly 72,000 residential connections across the city.

The measure comes as the council reviewed the 2027 operating budget amid national data on rising costs for food, fuel and housing. Council members referenced the city's latest utility rate study, which projected a 4.5 percent increase would have been needed to cover infrastructure maintenance without the freeze.

Direct Effects on Akron Household Expenses

Residents in neighborhoods such as Kenmore and Firestone Park will see no added line item on their combined water and sewer statement. An average single-family home using 5,000 gallons monthly currently pays $48.20; that amount stays the same. Local advocates note the change affects renters as well when landlords pass utility costs through leases.

The freeze also covers the stormwater fee assessed on the same bill. City records show the typical Akron household paid $312 in combined water, sewer and stormwater charges last year. Maintaining the current schedule avoids an estimated $14 monthly increase that had been outlined in the draft budget document released in May.

Implementation Timeline and Next Review

Rate tables will remain unchanged beginning with August 2026 billing cycles. The Utilities Department will submit a new rate study to council by December 2026, at which point members can consider adjustments for the following fiscal year based on actual revenue and maintenance data.

The ordinance does not alter electric rates, which are set by a separate regional provider. Property tax bills issued by Summit County will also continue on their existing schedule, unaffected by this utility action.