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Staff proposes flat base increase to water and sewer and a $0.50 transportation user fee hike
Summary
Staff proposed a $1.50 monthly base increase to water and sewer (about $3/month for residential accounts) and a $0.50 monthly increase to the transportation user fee for residential and commercial accounts; staff said garbage rates remain under review.
At the budget workshop, Staff member (S5) told council the utility proposal includes a $1.50 increase to the base water and sewer monthly charge and a $0.50 monthly increase to the transportation user fee for both residential and commercial customers.
"We are proposing increases to water and sewer rates and the transportation user fee," Staff member (S5) said, adding that the proposed water and sewer change is a flat base-rate increase rather than a per‑volume rate change. Staff said garbage rates had not yet been finalized.
Staff provided example impacts: the current minimum residential bill (which includes garbage) stands at $70.73; with the proposed increases, staff said the senior and disabled minimum bill would be approximately $63.78. Commercial accounts would face higher minimums. Council sought detail on the timing and mechanics of the user-fee addition; staff confirmed the transportation user fee is added automatically to the utility account's bill per account.
Staff said more detailed rate modeling and a finalized trash-rate proposal will be provided as the county releases final valuation and the city completes its calculations.
