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Council cuts sewer system‑development charge for standalone fire‑suppression meters by 95%
Summary
Council approved a 95% reduction in the sewer system‑development charge for standalone fire water meters, lowering upfront costs for developers while staff cautioned about the revenue impact and manual tracking requirements.
The Moses Lake City Council voted to cut the sewer system‑development charge (SDC) associated with standalone fire‑suppression water meters by 95% for the most typical large meter scenario, city staff said Tuesday.
City staff explained that a six‑inch water meter for fire suppression previously carried a calculated SDC of about $182,162; a 95% reduction would lower the fee to roughly $8,100–$10,000 depending on the meter size. Staff and council members said the reduction recognizes that water used only for fire suppression is unlikely to enter the wastewater system except in a fire incident, while noting the city would lose some revenue if the charge is reduced.
Council discussed alternatives, including post‑event cost recovery or a usage‑triggered fee, but staff said the unpredictable nature and administrative cost of post‑event recovery made the 95% reduction the most practical option. The motion to apply a 95% reduction passed by voice vote.
Staff noted the reduction will affect revenues and that future developers should be aware of the city's policy; there was no immediate change to meter installation requirements or to the standard water‑meter charge.
