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Auburn study session reviews utility rate study and recalculated SDCs ahead of Nov. 17 ordinance
Summary
Consultants told the council a rate update would raise retail water rates ~7.8% (2026–30) and increase the water SDC for a 3/4" meter to $10,127; staff recommended further analysis of low‑income discounts and asked council for direction to return ordinances for adoption on Nov. 17, 2026.
At a Nov. 10, 2026 Auburn City Council study session, FCS Group summarized a comprehensive utility rate study and recommended updated retail rates and system development charges (SDCs) to be effective Jan. 1, 2026, under forthcoming ordinance 7004.
Brooke Taysha of FCS told councilmembers the study projects a 7.8% increase for retail water rates over the 2026–2030 period, which the consultant said equates to about a $3.87 to $4.50 monthly increase on a single‑family water bill in the first year. Sewer retail increases tied to the Auburn portion of service were forecast at about 2% annually (roughly $0.65–$0.67 monthly for a single‑family account), and stormwater increases were projected at about 3.25% (roughly $0.63–$0.67 monthly). Combined, FCS estimated a 5.1–5.2% combined bill impact of about $5.14 in 2026 rising to about $5.84 by 2028.
On SDCs, FCS described the statutory methodology (original cost for existing assets, add future capital, subtract contributed assets and ineligible items, divide by system…
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