Johnson City water and sewer rates could increase

Johnson City’s water and sewer rates for city residents will increase by about 25% over the next four years if the Johnson City Commission passes a recommended rate increase next month. Rates for both water and sewer would increase by just under 6% a year starting July 1 of this year and ending July 1, 2028. Customers outside the city, who pay much higher rates, would see a smaller increases. The ordinances also include increases to “connection fees” for new single-family homes and other users, with those rates set to rise by higher percentages. Johnson City’s rate currently is in the middle of neighbors Kingsport and Bristol.