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Council OKs unified fee schedule: utility-tax rise and storm/sewer rate increases
Summary
Anacortes approved Resolution 3193, adopting a 2.8245% CPI adjustment to fees, raising the city utility tax from 7% to 9%, adding a $5 monthly storm-rate increase and a $25 garbage-tote cleaning fee; staff said average monthly customer bills will rise about $6.07.
The Anacortes City Council on Dec. 8 approved Resolution 3193, updating the city’s unified fee schedule effective Jan. 1, 2026. Staff presented a package of changes that include a 2.8245% CPI-based increase, a city utility tax increase from 7% to 9%, a $5-per-month storm-rate base increase and adjustments to sewer base and consumption rates. The city also added a $25 fee for garbage-tote cleaning when requested.
Finance staff explained that October CPI data were not published and that staff used an August-over-August formula producing a 2.8245% annual CPI rate. Staff estimated the combined effect on a typical residential monthly bill at $6.07 (broken down as a $5 storm-base increase, $0.59 CPI and $0.48 from the higher city utility tax).
Council discussed public notification plans (back-of-bill notices and website postings) and revenue estimates (staff referenced budget estimates of roughly $400,000 per utility and around $600,000 for the utility tax). Council voted to adopt the resolution.
Why it matters: The changes will affect household utility bills and municipal revenue going into 2026; the council and staff framed the increases as part of the adopted 2026 budget and necessary for service and infrastructure costs.
What’s next: Staff will include explanatory information on utility bills and post details on the city website.
