FY 2021 – 2023 Rate Plan Information

Rate Change and Design

The Board of Trustees granted New Braunfels Utilities’ leadership authority to plan for and seek a three-year rate increase to help fund the costs of 145 capital improvement projects currently in design or in progress for Fiscal Years 2021 – 2025. As New Braunfels and the NBU service territory continues to experience unprecedented growth, NBU has committed to more than $703 million in capital improvement projects.

The necessary rate increase plan will help ensure NBU is in regulatory compliance and is prepared to meet the needs of our growing community. 

Water Rates

New Braunfels Utilities rate structure is designed to provide a balance between residential and business rates and strengthen conservation pricing for all water users. With our tiered rate structure, the less water you use, the lower the rate you pay. The three-year rate plan allows NBU to return to regulatory compliance with Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) by meeting the physical infrastructure necessary to deliver the safest and cleanest water possible. Additionally, the rate plan allows NBU to maintain prudent financial practices to help keep utility costs as low as possible. The rate increases will help protect NBU’s Bond rating, maintain compliance with NBU’s Financial Policy, and meet the major credit rating agencies criteria for affordable cost and recovery.

Wastewater Rates

Wastewater rate increases align with the water rate increase three-year schedule.

Electric Rates

The average electric bill comprises generation, transmission, delivery, and customer usage costs. Purchased power and transmission costs are direct pass-through costs, which will not impact electric rates due to the efforts of NBU’s in-house Power Supply department. Since NBU distributes generated power, distribution costs, including delivery and customer charges, are recovered through rate increases.