Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utility Rates topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council clarifies utility base‑rate rule for voluntarily disconnected meters; phase 2 (vacant parcels) to return in September
Summary
Port Angeles City Council held a first reading to clarify that base rates apply to parcels with installed meters that request voluntary disconnection; council continued further changes affecting vacant, meterless parcels to Sept. 2 for more analysis and outreach.
The Port Angeles City Council conducted a first reading and discussion of clarifications to the city’s utility‑base‑rate ordinance, limiting the current amendment to phase 1: voluntary disconnections for properties that already have meters installed. Staff said the change applies to residential and commercial accounts and keeps the base rate charged to properties with an installed meter even when service is temporarily shut off.
"The city is required to reserve water and electric for properties that are connected to our system at a cost of the city that we do build into our base rate," staff said, explaining the rationale for continuing to charge the base rate for voluntarily disconnected meters. The council agreed to continue the item to the Sept. 2 meeting to refine phase 2, which would address vacant parcels without meters and requires additional policy work.
Public commenters and several council members raised equity concerns and questions about impacts on low‑income residents, seniors and owners of long‑vacant properties. John Hamilton, a resident and budget commenter, urged that the city explain where additional revenue will come from and how it connects to strategic and capital plans.
Council members debated the policy rationale: some described the charge as ensuring fairness among utility users because the base rate covers system availability; others emphasized that the city should consider incentives or rate design that encourage desired infill and accessory dwelling unit (ADU) outcomes. Council Member Lindsay Miller emphasized longer‑term rate design work: "If we go back to the theory of what the base rate pays for, it pays for getting the service to the parcel. So how does the base rate change when there's a second housing unit on that same parcel? That doesn't make sense to me." Miller framed that as a separate but related policy question the council should continue to address.
Staff recommended council conduct the first reading for the voluntary‑disconnection clarification and return with further analysis on the vacant‑parcel phase; council continued the item to Sept. 2.
