PORT TOWNSEND — The Port Townsend City Council will consider final approval of a hike in water and sewer rates next month after hearing the first reading of the proposed ordinance this week.
The ordinance, which had its first reading Monday night, would order an average increase of $12 per household per month to take effect this summer and then increase rates for the next five years.
“This isn’t something we wanted to happen,” Mayor David King said Tuesday.
“We have deferred this as long as we could,” he added.
“We need to meet the costs to maintain the systems, many that are old and in need of repair.”
The rate increase also is needed to subsidize the construction of a water filtration system, mandated by the federal government, along with rebuilding the city’s reservoir, city officials have said.
The $12 increase is based on the average residential use of 5,000 gallons of water monthly.
If the council approves it during its July 1 regular meeting — set for 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at historic City Hall, 540 Water St. — the increase would go into effect Aug. 1 and be reflected in the September water and sewer bills.
The average monthly residential bill for sewer service and 5,000 gallons of water would rise from $80.06 to $92.54 this year.
It would increase to $101.60 in 2014, $108.69 in 2015, $109.82 in 2016, $110.59 in 2017 and $118.88 in 2018.
The motion to approve first reading was favored by King and council members Michelle Sandoval, Mark Welch, Deborah Stinson and Catharine Robinson, and was opposed by Councilman Bob Gray.
Deputy Mayor Kris Nelson was excused from the meeting.
The increase includes a $5 surcharge that would be used to subsidize capital projects, which could rise as high as $14 in 2018.
The amount of the surcharge is undetermined and could be considerably less if the treatment facility can be built for less than the present projection of $7.1 million, Timmons has said.
That will depend on the city’s ability to secure low-interest loans, Timmon said.
Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
