Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
The City Council approved water and sewer rate increases last week of a total of 57 cents per 100 cubic feet of water on most residential services.
The base charges for water and sewer will remain the same, $17 and $19 respectively for residential service. The rate per 100 cubic feet is increasing 18 cents to $4.18 for water and 39 cents to $5.15 for sewer. The base charge includes the first 400 cubic feet of water.
For residential users who consume 1,000 cubic feet of water in a month, the bill will be $91.98. The average customer uses a little more than 700 cubic feet per month, according to city officials. At 700 cubic feet, the bill will be $63.99.
For water, commercial rates will increase 18 cents to $3.80, and the bulk rate increases 19 cents to $3.29. These do not include the first 400 cubic feet of water.
For sewer, the low commercial rate will increase by 36 cents to $4.49. The medium commercial rate will increase by 41 cents to $5.38. The high commercial rate and the industrial rate will increase 49 cents to $6.91.
Public Works Director Mike Adams outlined the rate increases in the spring at a council work session.
Under the new rates, the city is projecting revenue of $1.23 million for water, including approximately $45,000 to pay for future debts, which will be incurred paying for a new water treatment plant, expected to cost between $5 million and $8 million. The sewer rate will generate an estimated $1.48 million.
“The proposed user rates are designed to cover one year’s requirements and allow both funds to remain self-supporting as well as allowing for future development and depreciation costs,” Adams said. “Future user rate increases can be expected due to anticipated increased debt due to capital projects.”
The rate increase includes the addition of one full-time worker to be split between water and wastewater as well as 1.43 full-time equivalent upgrades to existing positions, Adams said.
In other business, the council:
– Approved street closures, waivers and permits for the Oregon Jamboree.
Among them, Sankey Park and Weddle Bridge will be closed to the public from 6 a.m. on Aug. 3 to 11:59 a.m. on Aug. 7. The lower park will not close to casual day use until 6 a.m. on Aug. 4. The closure will facilitate incoming RVs which will be parked in parts of upper and lower Sankey Park.
Eighteenth Avenue will be closed between Long Street and Grape Street from 7 p.m. on Aug. 3 to 9 p.m. on Aug. 6 – earlier than the street has been closed in the past. The area of the road that serves no residential properties will be completely blocked to all but emergency vehicles.
The council waived the Jamboree’s required peddlers license and waived the cost of outside costs for police manpower, water service, consumption and equipment.
The council approved a public address permit with amplification not permitted after 11:59 p.m. on any day.
The council gave permission to use city property for beer gardens and to use property adjacent to the Police Department for camping. Fifty percent of the revenue from that campsite will be shared with the department.
The council approved a waiver of the $50-per-day event permit fee.
– Approved a resolution to designate a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria used as a patrol car as surplus. The vehicle has major engine damage and will be auctioned.
– Approved a 1-percent pay increase for city employees not represented by unions. The increase matches the increases approved for the general employees who are represented.