Utility rate hikes pass first reading

The Washington City Council approved the first reading of an ordinance to raise the city?s sewer and water rates. The vote was 4-0 as councilors Bob Shepherd, Russ Zieglowsky, Merlin Hagie and Karen Wilson-Johnson all voted in favor. Councilors Mike Roth and Fred Stark were absent. No one from the public spoke on the matter. The ordinance must be approved twice more before it becomes law. If it is accepted into the city code, the new rates will take effect July 1.

The ordinance was written to conform to City Administrator Dave Plyman?s proposals for sewer and water rate hikes. Plyman presented his proposals to the council at a special session on May 11. At that special session, the councilors approved a motion to adopt Plyman?s ideas and codify them in an ordinance.

Under the ordinance, many Washington residents would see their utility bills increase by $30 or $40.

The variable sewer rate, based on consumption, would rise 176 percent from $1.27 per 100 cubic feet of water used to $3.50. The steepest increases would occur to the base charges of heavy users. Under the current setup, everyone pays a base charge of $17.50 except multiple family dwellings, which pay only $12.

The base fee for residences and multi-family dwellings would double to $35 under the ordinance. The fee would also be $35 for businesses that use up to 1,400 cubic feet. Businesses that use between 1,400 and 15,000 cubic feet would pay a base charge of $70. The next tier, from 15,000 to 100,000, would pay $140 as a base rate and any business using more than 100,000 cubic feet would pay $280.

Residential customers who used over 1,400 would still be charged the flat $35 fee.

Water rates will also rise under the ordinance, but not as much. Water rates would rise 10 percent from $1.87 to $2.06 on those who use between 0 and 1,400 cubic feet of water. The rate would rise 15 percent, from $1.76 to $2.02 for those consuming between 1,400 and 15,000, and 20 percent, from $1.52 to $1.82, for those consuming between 15,000 and 100,000. Those who consume more than 100,000 cubic feet of water would see an increase of 25 percent, from $1.20 to $1.50.

Plyman said at the special session that water rates haven?t risen in four or five years and that the city is having trouble covering its expenses for water line repairs.

The ordinance also contains an increase to the garbage and recycling fee, which would go from $2.35 to $4.35. This fee applies only to residential customers.

The net effect of these increases is that residential customers will pay at least $20 more and many will pay $30 or $40 more in utilities per month. A residential customer who now uses 100 cubic feet of water per month pays about $33. Under the new plan, the customer would pay $56. Someone who uses 400 cubic feet pays $43, and that would jump to $73 under the proposal. A resident who uses 700 cubic feet would see their bill go from $53 to $90. Those who consume 1,000 cubic feet would pay $44 more in utilities, from $63 to $107.

The Department of Natural Resources has ordered the City of Washington to build a new sewer plant. That plant will cost about $15 million. Additionally, the city will build a new gravity sewer line which will cost about $3.5 million. The increases in the sewer and water rates will pay for these expenses.

In other news, Washington Main Street Director Amy Vetter asked the council to approve a request to have ?Celebrate Washington? on Saturday, Aug. 6 in the city?s downtown. The council approved the request by a 3-1 vote. Shepherd, Hagie and Zieglowsky voted in favor of the request and Wilson-Johnson voted against it.

Vetter said Celebrate Washington will feature an art show, music, street dance, children?s activities and other live entertainment, such as a three-on-three basketball tournament and a mechanical bull.

Vetter requested that all four streets around central park be closed from 7 a.m. that day until 2 a.m. the next morning. Wilson-Johnson said her only problem with Vetter?s proposal was the inclusion of a beer tent.

?Just as there are people who have no issues with the beer tent, there is a segment of the population that is opposed to it,? said Wilson-Johnson. ?I?m not against drinking. I just think that this event could be just as wonderful without beer. It is a family-oriented event. It makes me kind of sad to think we need to offer beer to make people stay all day.?

Vetter said everyone at the event has a wristband which indicates whether they are of legal drinking age or not.