City of Spokane recently completed the process of evaluating and updating fees to connect to City utility services through General Facilities Charges (GFC).
Water and Wastewater General Facilities Charges (GFCs) are fees to recover an equitable share of the costs of infrastructure and capital improvements necessary for providing water and wastewater services to new or expanded developments. GFC fees ensure future customers pay for the capacity that existing customers have already provided for them.
General Facilities Charges are generally one-time fees paid when a new development connects to these existing utility systems, or when an existing development significantly increases its water or wastewater usage. They are designed to cover a proportionate share of the capital investment made to provide system capacity for those utility services. Additionally, the fee can be used to fund capital projects or related debt services. By assessing GFCs, funding for critical infrastructure improvements and expansions is made possible without placing an undue financial strain on existing customers. This approach supports sustainable growth and ensures that new developments contribute their fair share to the communal resources they utilize.
General Facilities Charges calculations include information on existing water and sewer facilities as well as future projects. To get to the GFCs, maintenance-related costs are subtracted as well as facilities that were donated to the City by developers. On the sewer side, stormwater-related facilities and projects are also subtracted out.
Here’s a look at the lists existing facilities and future projects before the ineligible costs were removed:
| Meter Size | City-Wide Calculated Charge | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
| 5/8" | $834 | $1,667 | $3,333 |
| 3/4" | $2,821 | $3,547 | $5,000 |
| 1 | $3,655 | $5,214 | $8,333 |
| 1.5 | $8,611 | $11,296 | $16,666 |
| 2 | $11,112 | $16,297 | $26,666 |
| 3 | $22,748 | $34,609 | $58,332 |
| 4 | $37,572 | $58,380 | $99,998 |
| 6 | $79,343 | $127,894 | $224,995 |
| 8 *Based on needed flowrates | To be calculated | ||
| 10 *Based on needed flowrates | To be calculated | ||
| Meter Size | City-Wide Calculated Charge | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
| 5/8" | $1,172 | $2,344 | $4,687 |
| 3/4" | $4,819 | $5,556 | $7,030 |
| 1 | $5,991 | $7,899 | $11,717 |
| 1.5 | $14,515 | $17,488 | $23,435 |
| 2 | $18,029 | $24,519 | $37,496 |
| 3 | $36,407 | $51,612 | $82,022 |
| 4 | $59,632 | $86,624 | $140,610 |
| 6 | $124,069 | $188,170 | $316,371 |
| 8 *Based on needed flowrates | To be calculated | ||
| 10 *Based on needed flowrates | To be calculated | ||
In 2023, the City proposed new GFC rates to bring them up-to-date and address current costs and infrastructure needed for growth. The timing also was tied to a moratorium on new building permits in the Latah Valley. In order to lift the moratorium in a timely manner, an update to GFC rates was required. In March 2023, the City Council adopted new GFCs. Rates representing an inflationary increase over the rates adopted in 2002 are currently in place through March 4, 2024. After that, the adopted GFCs will increase.
The Mayor has appointed a GFC Advisory Committee that will meet to discuss various elements and impacts of rate changes. The committee's first meeting was May 11 and there will be regularly scheduled meetings for stakeholder feedback. Discussion items include ordinance overview, growth projections and paying for growth-related infrastructure, fee calculation methodologies, water system zones, incentives, phasing in options, etc. Watch the meeting recordings:
If you would like receive email updates, please send a request to gfcs@spokanecity.org.
Current GFC Permit Information
Development Services Center
509.625.6300
permitteam@spokanecity.org
