City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 13
Chapter 13.04
Section 13.04.2042
 

Title 13 Public Utilities and Services

Chapter 13.04 Water

Article III. Water General Facilities Charge

Section 13.04.2042 Water General Facilities Charge – Schedule of Charges
  1. Findings – General Facilities Charge (GFC).

The City Council finds:

  1. The purpose of GFC charges is to defray costs created by new system demand, such as costs of providing increased system capacity for new or increased demand and other capital costs associated with new system capacity.
  1. There is a system-wide benefit, served by a uniform, adjustable GFC, in encouraging system growth through infilling certain unserved areas and considering that expanding the overall customer rate base and customer densities will reduce fixed costs which must otherwise be spread over all classes of ratepayers.
  1. It is in the public interest to provide for a GFC rate structure to cover costs associated with new or increased system demand. GFC charges had not been updated in over 20 years and new growth proposals are stressing current system capacity and will require investment in infrastructure for water service.
  1. It is further in the public interest that those adding costs or burdens to the City water system by creating need and demand for a new system growth and infill needs in the City water system should pay a GFC therefore. Furthermore, it is not in the public interest to waive GFCs, because without adequate GFCs, the City’s current utility customers bear the burden of paying for new capacity to serve growth and a fund will be established to cover the cost of all or a portion of GFCs for certain development projects, including permanent affordable housing.
  1. The City’s policy is to not waive GFCs. However, offset of the developer’s cost of the GFC may be identified from non-utility revenue sources, such as grant dollars or other general fund revenues. Such offset must be clearly identified and paid by the other source at time of application for connection, application for a building permit, or as otherwise ordered by the Director of Public Works.
  1. Charge for new service or new upgrades.
    1. For new service or new upgrades of existing service to the City water system, a GFC is assessed as provided hereafter. The charge will be based upon the meter size(s) required for domestic and irrigation water service to the facility and location of the property within the Upper or Lower Zone.  If the size of a previous connection is upgraded to a larger connection, upgrades are charged at the current difference between the old and new connection size charges.
    1. The GFC is to be used to finance impacts to the system created by new system growth and infill needs created by new or upgraded customers.
    1. Meters used solely for fire protection purposes would not incur GFC charges, unless needed flow rate exceeds the current largest fire flow rate in that pressure zone.
    1. Annual Increase: The GFC Charges in SMC 13.04.2044 are generated from an analytical analysis, one copy which shall be kept on file with the office of the city clerk and incorporated herein by reference. GFC charges in SMC 13.04.2044 will increase annually based on the Engineering News-Record Index (ENR) calculated by City Staff, from October to October for the previous year.  This annual increase will start March 5, 2024, and occur each January 1 thereafter. The City will publish a public rule update with the new GFC charge by January 1st of each year. Comprehensive review and update of GFC charges should be conducted at least every (5) years, but no more frequently than three (3) years.
    1. Adjustments.

Prior Payment of Similar Charges: The charge for a water connection can be adjusted upon a showing of prior payment of similar charges, or for other sound considerations of fairness, as determined by the Director of Public Works.

      1. To be eligible for such adjustment, a party required to pay a water GFC must submit a written application to the Director of Public Works, together with any supporting materials and explanation.
      1. The Director of Public Works must receive such materials no later than the time of connection of the subject premises.
      1. No adjustment may exceed the amount of the water GFC applicable to the connection requested.
    1. The water GFC applies, in addition to all other connection, permit or other fees required by this code or elsewhere.
    1. The Director of Public Works may record appropriate notice with the county auditor concerning areas subject to the water GFC pursuant to the requirements of RCW 65.08.170 and RCW 65.08.180, as applicable, reserving the possibility of upgrade charges.
    1. Any offset of applicable GFC charges shall be through non-utility revenue sources such as grant dollars or general fund dollars. The qualifications for such offset are established in Public Rule 5200-23-01.
  1. Any future incentives, waivers, offsets, or deferral of GFC charges should be funded through payments from other funding sources. Incentives, offsets, and deferrals should not result in lost revenue for new system capacity.

Date Passed: Monday, November 20, 2023

Effective Date: Tuesday, March 5, 2024

ORD C36461 Section 5