NORWAY — Property tax revenues are up in the city of Norway by 4.3% and residents will see no change in the tax levy millage rate for the budget year beginning July 1.

Residents will, however, see an increase in utility rates under a resolution the city council adopted Wednesday.

Electric rates will rise by 1 cent per kilowatt hour. On a monthly bill for 800 kWh, the increase would be $8.

Water bills will rise by 35 cents per 1,000 gallons of water usage and 86 cents per 1,000 gallons of sewage. At 6,000 gallons monthly, the increase would be $7.26.

The property tax rate for city operations remains at 16.3942 mills, or $16.39 per $1,000 of taxable value.

The general fund budget calls for $3.1 million in spending. The estimated beginning fund balance is $535,439 and the estimated ending fund balance is $500,000.

In other action, the council:

— Voted to participate in the Efficiency United program. A state law passed in 2023, the Energy Waste Reduction Act, requires electric utilities achieve an annual savings of 1.5% of their total retail sales. The cost of the Efficiency United program is 2.2% of annual revenue and is estimated to cost the city $79,817 in 2026 and $83,808 in 2027.

Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Muraro was frustrated by the state requirement. “This is why I fight against big government state stuff,” Muraro said. “They are going to have our taxpayers pay $80,000 to save maybe $20,000.”

Electrical Department Foreman Scott Hegy said nobody knows for sure what the penalty for not participating in the program would be, so not participating is not an acceptable risk.

Efficiency United offers energy-efficiency rebates and programs to help homeowners reduce their energy use and costs.

— Approved transferring funds from the Major Road Fund to the Local Street Fund. It allows the transfer of up to 50% of the Major Street Fund revenue to the Local Street Fund to cover any deficits on local street projects.