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Grants Pass staff explain water/sewer rate design and assistance voucher program
Summary
City staff briefed council on the rationale for tiered water rates and sewer billing tied to winter averages, and described a small assistance program funded from utility revenues with vouchers of up to $400 for customers facing imminent shutoff.
City staff gave an informational briefing on water and sewer rate design, conservation incentives and the city’s assistance program during the same council workshop.
The presentation reviewed the 2018–19 rate study work that led to a change in how water and sewer are charged: water rates use inverse block (tiered) pricing to encourage conservation and protect minimum indoor use, while sewer charges are tied to each customer’s winter‑average water use to better align sewer revenue with the volume entering the wastewater system. Staff noted the water treatment plant replacement fee is tied to debt service and will sunset when the debt is retired.
On customer assistance, staff described a locally administered program funded at 0.25% of gross utility revenues intended to help customers in imminent danger of service termination. Kimberly, who administers the program, explained the process: “You have to have an imminent termination of services in order to be able to qualify…we will do an assistance voucher for the…up to $400 on your account,” available on a first‑come, first‑served basis and limited to once per calendar year. Staff said the funds have been fully expended in prior years and promised a report on program usage and demand.
Councilors asked for additional clarification on which accounts receive assistance and whether other large consumers (for example, parks irrigation or public safety accounts) affect the utility revenue base; staff said the general fund provides a small annual contribution and that the utilities’ 0.25% set‑aside is the primary ongoing source for assistance.
This presentation was informational; council did not take action to change rates at the workshop. Staff said any contemplated rate changes would return to council with a consultant analysis if specific adjustments were requested.
