Proposals includes credit for vulnerable citizens, investments in neighborhoods
Marlene Feist, Director of Strategic Development, Public Works & Utilities, (509) 625-6505
Friday, July 14, 2017 at 2:29 p.m.
The City of Spokane this month is considering utility rate proposals for 2018 through 2020 that are designed to provide customers with predictable and affordable rates for their water, wastewater, and solid waste services.
The proposals includes 2.9 percent annual increases for the services, adhering to a commitment made by the City’s elected leaders in 2014 to limit utility rate increases to 2.9 percent annually.
The proposals also include a new $10 monthly credit for low-income seniors and disabled persons who qualify for State of Washington property tax exemptions granted through Spokane County. The proposals also will allow for increased investment in community cleanups and litter control and grading of unpaved streets and alleys that are used to deliver solid waste services.
“We are working to give our utility customers value for their dollar, providing excellent services at a reasonable price,” says Mayor David Condon. “With these rate proposals, we are holding down operating costs, completing major capital projects to improve the health of the Spokane River, and investing strategically to improve community health and vitality.”
The City Council is expected to vote on the proposals at its regular 6 p.m. meeting on July 31 in the lower level of City Hall. Utility customers are invited to testify during the meeting about the rate proposals.
For 2018, a typical residential customer’s City utility bill would increase by $3.47 a month, with similar increases for 2019 and 2020. The typical bill example includes charges for water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste and assumes 15,000 gallons of water use a month and a 68-gallon garbage cart. The new rates would take effect on January 1 of each year.
This is the second time the City has proposed adopting utility rates for multiple years. In 2014, the City adopted rates for 2015, 2016, and 2017.
“We are aiming to provide our citizen with understandable, equitable rates that can sustain the quality of our utility services,” says Council Member Amber Waldref, who leads the Council’s Public Works Committee. “This year, I’m most proud of efforts to give some of our most vulnerable citizens some relief. The new credit complements the City’s U-Help program along with the wastewater credit program for low water users and lower rates for multi-family units.”
The U-Help program provides low-income households with annual, one-time emergency assistance to help pay for their City utility bills. In 2015, the City established a wastewater credit of $5 a month that benefits 20 percent of customers that use the least amount of water indoors. In 2016 and 2017, the City increased the per-unit discount for wastewater services in multi-family residences.
The rates for 2018 through 2020 also will allow the City to:
Additionally, the proposals include language to rename the City’s Integrated Capital line item on the bill to the Water Wastewater Capital charge to more accurately reflect its use.
