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Council sets $9,000 flat hookup fee after heated debate over development and affordability
Summary
After hearing from developers and residents, Preston City Council set both water and sewer connection fees at $9,000 for all listed sizes, a compromise below the advertised ceiling; council members debated whether higher fees would fund reserves and a second water source or halt development.
Council members voted to set a single connection fee of $9,000 for both water and sewer services across the listed sizes after public testimony from builders and residents on the fee's local economic impact.
Developer Tony Crockett (speaker 8) urged caution about sharply higher hookup fees, warning they could render some projects uneconomic; he told the council the current hookup schedule on his approved projects would yield about $3,800,000 at existing rates and that doubling hookup costs could force him to postpone projects. Crockett said, “So my proposal is not either for or against, but let's focus on growth.”
Council discussion centered on balancing the principle that "growth pays for growth" with protecting existing residents. Council member (speaker 3) explained the published ceiling was intentionally high to allow flexibility, then proposed a $10,000 figure and later supported $9,000 as a compromise. The motion to set a uniform $9,000 hookup fee passed with one recorded dissent (Chris Larson, speaker 5). Council directed staff to update the printed fee schedule and return the reprinted resolution for a formal vote in January.
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