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Council debates applying 2.9% CPI adjustment to water and sewer charges; no vote tonight
Summary
Council discussed an ordinance provision that would adjust water and sewer charges by the US CPI (CTAC area) — currently 2.9% — and asked staff to report back with bill examples and fiscal impacts; no action was taken.
Council members spent substantial time clarifying how the CPI clause in the water and sewer ordinances would affect customer bills.
"So right now that is 2.9%," the Chair said when introducing the CPI figure the ordinance references. Members questioned whether the 2.9% would apply separately to the water and sewer portions of a combined bill (each line item rising 2.9%) and asked staff to provide example bills showing the overall effect. The chair and other members emphasized that the ordinance language requires the council to review the CPI adjustment annually and that the council could choose a different percentage if it prefers.
Councilors also raised the city's low-income discount: the transcript records a 16% discount applied to the monthly service charge (not usage). The chair said the current water service charge is $40 and asked staff (Kim) to explain how the 16% discount is applied in practice and to provide sample bills at the next meeting. The council deferred any vote and requested a staff report for the next meeting so members can consider the fiscal effects before Jan. 1.
