Starting June 20, 2025, Bedford residents will notice a new line item on their City Utilities water bills, a monthly fee to fund public fire protection infrastructure. The fee was approved by the Bedford City Council on April 15, 2025, and is part of a broader effort to update and equitably fund essential city services.

The newly implemented “Public Fire Protection” fee will cover the cost of the water infrastructure necessary for fire suppression, such as hydrants, water mains, and water pressure systems. It will not be used to fund the Bedford Fire Department’s operations or personnel.

In past years, these infrastructure costs were paid for through property taxes, placing the financial burden solely on property owners. Under the new system, the fee is added to the water bills of all us

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