ARLINGTON – Utility ratepayers, clink those glasses of city drinking water in celebration.

For the fifth-straight year, the Arlington City Council has voted not to impose utility rate increases for water, sewer and stormwater.

“Our utility budget is strong and healthy,” Public Works Director Jim Kelly said. “Our emphasis on cost containment and best practices has enabled us to defer planned rate increases for five consecutive years.”

Since 2010, a city law has required a mandatory utilities rate increase each year for Arlington residents and commercial customers. However, the council’s vote again made an exception, leaving rates unchanged since 2012.