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Schools, low‑use households could pay more under a single‑rate model, council warned
Summary
Councilors pressed the consultant about how eliminating the 7,000‑gallon base or moving to a single volumetric rate could shift costs onto local schools and low‑use households; the consultant said those distributional effects are a political choice and recommended running account‑level analyses.
During the workshop, a councilor asked whether a move to a uniform volumetric rate and removal of the 7,000‑gallon free base would increase bills for schools. Andy responded that it could and noted school districts often cover territory outside the city and thus may presently receive a de facto subsidy from city ratepayers.
Council members also raised concerns for fixed‑income households and small residential users who historically consume below the base threshold. Staff and the consultant emphasized that moving to a capacity‑based or single‑rate model changes who is subsidizing whom and that mitigation measures or phased implementation could be options to protect vulnerable ratepayers. The council requested analysis of distributional impacts as part of the alternate projection.
