Politics
New Farm Referendum on Local Service Fee Caps and Household Budget Impacts
The ballot measure would change how much New Farm residents pay each month for water, waste and parking permits beginning in the 2027 fiscal year.
How we reported this
Voters across New Farm face a single ballot measure on July 15 that would cap annual increases in city service fees at the inflation rate plus one percentage point. The proposal covers water, waste collection and residential parking permits administered by the New Farm Revenue Office. Passage would affect every household that receives a quarterly utility bill from the city.
The measure appears on the ballot after the New Farm City Council recorded average household fee growth of 6.8 percent over the past two fiscal years, according to the June 2026 Budget Office report. Council minutes from the May 12 meeting show members placed the question before voters after receiving petitions signed by 4,200 registered residents.
Effects on Daily Expenses
A household in the New Farm district that currently pays $1,840 a year in combined water and waste charges would see that total limited to roughly $1,920 under the proposed formula, based on the Revenue Office projection released June 28. Residents who use the city’s monthly parking permit program would face a similar limit on the current $45 fee. Policy analysts at the local budget office note that the cap applies only to these three categories and does not alter property tax rates set by the county assessor.
The legislation states that the cap calculation uses the consumer price index published by the national statistics agency each January. If inflation reaches 3.1 percent in the next report, the maximum permitted increase for the following year would equal 4.1 percent. Local advocates note that the rule includes a provision allowing the council to exceed the cap by a two-thirds vote in declared emergencies.
Timeline for Implementation
Ballots will be mailed to all registered voters on July 1 and must be returned by 8 p.m. on July 15. The New Farm Elections Division will certify results by July 22. If approved, the fee limits take effect on January 1, 2027, and apply to all bills issued after that date. The government says the policy will remain in force for four years unless amended by a future referendum.