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North Bend council approves multiyear water and sewer rate increases after extended debate
Summary
After a multihour public hearing and detailed financial briefing, the North Bend City Council unanimously approved ordinances raising water and sewer rates through 2030. Council members pressed staff for mitigation for low-income households and committed to follow-up analyses and outreach.
The North Bend City Council voted unanimously Feb. 17 to approve ordinances raising water and sewer rates through 2030 after a two-part public hearing and extended council discussion.
Finance Director Martin Cha presented the rate study and explained the proposal would raise water rates by 6.5% annually beginning in 2026 (through 2030) and apply smaller, staged increases to sewer rates (roughly 2.4—2.5% through 2026 and 3% annually thereafter). Cha said the study aims to “ensure financial sustainability for both utilities, maintaining quality drinking water and services to the community, as well as maintaining our debt covenants and the city's positive double A minus credit rating.”
The presentation compared actual and forecasted general facility charge (GFC) collections and operating revenues for 2021—2025 and showed GFC receipts and service-charge collections had tracked within forecast ranges. Cha and the consulting team told council GFCs are…
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