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NBU Board Approves Proposed Rate Adjustments for FY26-27

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Reagan Peña
Director of Enterprise Communications
830.312.7979 | communications@nbutexas.com

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas (May 29, 2025) – On May 29, 2025, New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) Board of Trustees approved proposed adjustments to electric, water and wastewater utility rates as recommended by CEO Ryan Kelso. This action is the first of three required approvals. The proposed changes will now go before New Braunfels City Council on June 16 and for final approval on June 23, 2025. If approved, the new rates will take effect on August 1, 2025.

“Our job is to make sure that when our customers need us – whether it’s a hot summer day or the middle of the night – their power, water and wastewater services work. These proposed adjustments are not about today’s costs alone; they’re about making smart, community-driven investments that protect both our systems and the people who rely on them for decades to come,” said Ryan Kelso, CEO, New Braunfels Utilities.

“As a nonprofit, community-owned utility, NBU only charges what it costs to deliver essential electric, water and wastewater services,” said Wayne Peters, President of the NBU Board of Trustees. “Every dollar paid by our more than 60,000 customers is reinvested into infrastructure, reliability and customer support—ensuring a safe and resilient system for our community.”

Impact on our customers

If approved, the proposed changes would increase the average residential monthly bill
by:

  • Approximately $16/month for a customer who receives all three services—electric, water and wastewater—and uses water for essential indoor needs(about 6,000 gallons).
  • Approximately $26/month for customers with all three services who also choose to irrigate their lawns or landscapes, leading to higher, discretionary water consumption.

Customers can use the online rate calculator at https://www.nbutexas.com/billcalculator/ to estimate the impact based on their actual usage.

Why rate adjustments are necessary

Following best practices, NBU regularly reviews and adjusts rates. The proposed rate adjustments reflect the findings of an independent study by Raftelis, a national utility consulting firm. The study determined that adjustments are necessary for:

  • Infrastructure Upgrades: $752.1 million is budgeted for 323 projects between Fiscal Year 2025 and Fiscal Year 2027 to maintain and improve reliability.
  • Growth: NBU does not determine growth but is obligated to provide utility services to new developments within its 161 square-mile service area.
  • Regulatory Compliance: Meeting increasing regulatory mandates for electric, water and wastewater which is not funded by the state or federal government.
  • Inflation: Rising costs for materials and labor.
  • Future Preparedness: Strategic investments to address future growth and extreme weather events.

Community voice as part of the process

NBU’s citizen-led Community Advisory Panel (CAP) helped identify priorities that represented the community. Their feedback influenced how NBU rates are structured and ensured they are focused on the following key areas:

  • Affordability & Fairness – Rates reflect the true costs of our utility services, unlike private utilities, which add in profit.
  • Electric, Water and Wastewater System Reliability – Investments maintain and upgrade systems that bring dependable electricity and water to our customers.
  • Resiliency – Preparing systems for growth and emergencies to continue providing dependable services.

New Braunfels City Council will conduct a first reading of the proposed rates at the June 16, 2025 meeting, with a second and final reading planned on June 23, 2025.

For more information about NBU rates, visit https://www.nbutexas.com/your-rates-at-work/

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About New Braunfels Utilities:

New Braunfels Utilities (NBU) is a nonprofit, community-owned provider of electric, water and wastewater services. NBU strives to be a trusted community partner with a mission of providing resilient essential services to over 60,000 customers. Utility revenues are continually invested back into the very systems that provide electricity and water to our customers’ homes and businesses. Additionally, New Braunfels Utilities makes an annual transfer to the City of New Braunfels, which in turn helps to pay for services such as fire, police and city parks. NBU is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of the mayor and four appointed residents. Visit nbutexas.com to learn more about our services and follow NBU on Facebook at facebook.com/newbraunfelsutilities, on X at @nbutexas or on Instagram at @nbutexas.