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Council adopts higher water tap and meter fees, including impact multipliers for larger meters
Summary
The Grants Lane City Council approved Ordinance 2026-08 revising water tap, meter and wastewater fees to a model that charges time-and-materials plus an impact fee multiplier; out-of-town taps carry higher multipliers.
Councilors heard a multi-page presentation from utility staff explaining a new fee structure for water taps and meter sets that combines time-and-materials (cost-plus), meter-set charges and an 'impact multiplier' to reflect larger meters' greater stress on the system.
Utility staff summarized comparative research from neighboring municipalities and said an example impact fee for a single-family 3/4-inch meter would be about $600 under the proposed multiplier. Staff also proposed charging double the impact fee for out-of-town taps and adding a search charge for locating records on non-city parcels.
Councilors discussed implementation details, including whether to spread connection costs over bills, how much to charge contractors and the need to ensure the fees do not discourage new construction. After discussion, Council member Brandon moved to approve Ordinance 2026-08; Scott Gorby seconded the motion and the ordinance passed by voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Council directed staff to monitor impacts and return with adjustments if necessary. Staff noted some increases correct previously unimplemented changes and that the ordinance will allow the city to recover time-and-materials costs plus system-impact contributions for new connections.
