Heath residents and builders are paying new rates for city services after the city's updated fee schedule took effect Thursday, Oct. 1.
The FY2026-27 Master Fee & Rate Schedule covers nine categories of charges, including water and sewer rates, building permits, park rentals and code enforcement. The Heath City Council adopted it unanimously Aug. 11 as Ordinance No. 260811C, then amended it Sept. 8 with Ordinance No. 260908A to add food truck fees at Towne Center Park.
No one spoke at the Aug. 11 public hearing on the fees, according to council minutes.
Utility and trash rates
The base monthly water rate for a standard 5/8- or 3/4-inch meter is $44.23. Water usage is tiered, starting at $7.92 per 1,000 gallons for consumption between 2,001 and 10,000 gallons and climbing to $17.17 per 1,000 gallons above 100,000 gallons.
The residential sewer base rate is $67.84 per month, with a volume charge of $8.42 per 1,000 gallons. Director of Community Development Zack King told the council Aug. 11 that the schedule includes a 6.5% increase in sanitary sewer service.
Mayor Pro Tem Scott Dodson explained the reasoning at the same hearing: "These increases are bond-related items relative to being able to execute on our water plan for wells and storage facilities." He added that wastewater rates are predominantly driven by the North Texas Municipal Water District.
Residential curbside trash collection with recycling is $25.09 per month. Premium carry-out service with recycling runs $44.05.
Building and development fees
A new single-family home building permit costs $1.25 per square foot under roof, plus a $200 plan review fee. Residential addition or remodel permits are $0.75 per square foot with a $250 minimum. Commercial building permits are 0.75% of project value, with a $100 minimum.
Other common permits: pool, $400; lake seawall, $350; solar, $250; fence, $150.
Zoning change requests, conditional use permits and site plan reviews each cost $1,200. A Board of Adjustment appeal, variance or special exception is $850.
Parks and food trucks
Pavilion rentals at Terry Park or Towne Center Park are $100 per three hours for Heath or Dallas residents and $250 for non-residents. Pickleball courts rent for $10 per hour per court for residents, with a $50 annual permit option. Non-residents pay $40 per hour.
The Sept. 8 amendment added a $50 daily reservation fee for food trucks on the Festival Street area at Towne Center Park, plus an optional $10 electricity add-on, according to council minutes.
Director of Finance Jay Ayers told the council Aug. 11 that the schedule is adopted annually to keep fees current. The full fee schedule is posted on the city's website.
