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Mercer Island utility board backs 8% water rate increase to fund major capital program
Summary
The Mercer Island Utility Board on Oct. 28 voted to recommend an 8% increase in the city’s water rates for fiscal year 2026, saying the rise is needed to fund extensive capital reinvestment and to cover existing debt service.
The Mercer Island Utility Board on Oct. 28 voted to recommend an 8% increase in the city’s water rates for fiscal year 2026, arguing the hike is needed to fund extensive capital reinvestment and to cover existing debt service.
The change would raise the typical single‑family monthly bill (assumed 3/4‑inch meter, 700 cubic feet) by about $6.16. Finance Director Matt Mornick and operations staff told the board the recommendation is designed to spread near‑term capital costs and avoid larger single‑year spikes.
Mornick said the city issued roughly $26.6 million in limited‑tax general obligation bonds in 2024 to fund a suite of immediate projects;…
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