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Council approves uniform sewer rate; increase equals about $1.07 per user
Summary
Washington City Council voted unanimously to approve a resolution moving to a uniform sewer user rate, raising charges about $1.07 per user, after staff said the change simplifies lift-station fee structure.
Washington City Council on March 26 voted unanimously to approve a resolution that amends the city's sewer user rate to a uniform charge across customers.
The resolution replaces a split rate structure intended to address lift-station fees with a single, citywide rate. Public Works Assistant Director Lester Dalton told the council the change "equates to about a dollar 7 per user." Dalton said the proposal had been discussed in previous workshops and that consultants from Mullen Collins were available to answer technical questions.
Council members said the increase was modest compared with expectations and commended staff and the consultants for their work. Councilman Coates moved approval of the resolution "as outlined in our packet," and Councilman Belson seconded. The council took a roll-call vote and approved the measure unanimously.
Why it matters: City staff said the change simplifies billing and spreads the cost of lift-station service across all users rather than keeping separate rate classes. The action follows earlier workshop review and reflects a small, across-the-board increase the city said was necessary to update rates that had not been changed in several years.
Council directions and next steps: Staff said the presentation shown at the council workshop remains available and no further immediate action was required beyond implementing the new rate schedule in billing systems.
Vote record: Motion to approve resolution amending sewer user rate; mover: Councilman Coates; second: Councilman Belson; outcome: approved unanimously.
