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Lewiston updates master fee schedule: county 911 passthrough and incremental sewer rate increase approved
Summary
Council approved a passthrough increase for county 911 fees and a $10 incremental sewer-rate hike (to $75) as part of a multi-step plan to meet state/federal grant formulas.
The Lewiston City Council on Nov. 18 approved updates to the city’s master fee schedule to reflect a county increase in the county 911 fee (a passthrough) and to raise the sewer rate by $10 as part of incremental increases recommended to meet grant and loan formulas.
An unidentified council member explained the county has increased the 911 fee (a passthrough the city collects and forwards). Councilor Speaker 2 said the sewer project funders require evidence the city is collecting sufficient revenue and proposed a $10 increase now — moving the sewer charge to $75 — with further, gradual increases planned to reach targets used by DWQ and USDA for grant or loan eligibility. "We didn't wanna do a complete increase and shock everybody, so we've been going in small increments," Speaker 2 said.
Councilors discussed the trade-off between incremental increases and larger one-time hikes; Speaker 1 noted the incremental approach was preferable to avoid a large rate shock to residents. After discussion the council voted unanimously to update the master fee schedule to reflect the county 911 fee change and the sewer-rate update.
The ordinance/update was approved by roll call (Fizz — yes; John — yes; Ned — yes; Brooke — yes; Jana — yes). Councilors asked staff to continue communicating the planned phased increases so residents understand the rationale and schedule.
