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Council debates fairness of secondary‑water tiers as state law pushes meters and volumetric billing
Summary
Council members warned that capacity‑based base fees could sharply raise bills for long‑time large‑lot residents, while staff said state mandates and infrastructure costs limit options; staff will return with adjusted rate structures.
Council members pressed staff on Feb. 17 over a proposed shift to capacity‑based billing and tiered volumetric rates for secondary (pressurized irrigation) water. Council Member Steve Rogers warned that some long‑standing residents on large lots could face steep monthly increases and urged the council to avoid a policy that “forces” lower‑ability households to shoulder the burden.
Public Works Director Neal Winterton and consultant Keith Larsen explained the change is driven in part by state law requiring metering and tiered rates and by the need to fund upcoming capital projects. City Attorney Christine Petersen told the council the state requirements were not known when the pressurized irrigation system was installed and that there was no intentional misrepresentation at the time. Staff said they would work with the consultant to soften base rates and consider shifting more revenue to volumetric charges so long‑term residents face smaller increases.
The council did not adopt any rates at the meeting; staff will return with revised options and the underlying data for further council review.
