PORT TOWNSEND — Water customers who have lost service because they haven’t paid their bills are still required to pay a base rate when the shutdown is in effect, a new city ordinance makes clear.
The new language also requires that city utility customers applying for the low-income rates reapply every year to renew their eligibility.
Water bills from the city have two parts: a base-rate maintenance and operation cost, plus a surcharge and fees based on water usage.
“When you turn off service, the fixed rate doesn’t go away,” City Manager David Timmons told the City Council on Monday.
“The customer is responsible for that cost even if they aren’t using any water.”
The language isn’t clear in the current ordinance, Timmons said.
The fixed charge is assessed on the basis of pipe size and building type, ranging from $23.61 for low-income users with a pipe up to 5.8 inches in diameter to $1,507 for commercial users with an 8-inch pipe.
In addition to the fixed charge, the standard residential rate is $2.72 for 1,000 gallons and the top industrial rate is $5.71 for the same amount.
Approved on first reading
The council approved the first reading of the ordinance Monday with council members Amy Smith Howard, David Faber, Deputy Mayor Catharine Robinson and Mayor Deborah Stinson in favor and Councilman Bob Gray opposed.
Councilwomen Pamela Adams and Michelle Sandoval were excused.
Gray said action should wait until there was a full council and suggested putting the matter to the public on the Speak Up Port Townsend section of the city website.
Robinson disagreed.
“This is a clarification only, so it’s not necessary to use Speak Out unless we are going to change the rates,” she said.
Faber initially agreed with Gray but was convinced to approve the first reading after Stinson said discussion could take place at the second reading, to be scheduled for a future meeting.
Low-income status
The new ordinance also seeks to clarify the process awarding low-income status.
The fixed rate for low-income users is half the standard residential rate. Eligibility is determined by a formula that considers family size and income levels, Timmons said.
Water customers will be able to apply for this status at any time but will be required to reapply during the month of April for it to continue, according to the ordinance.
Much of the discussion centered around the low-income qualification, with Timmons saying it placed an additional burden on customers who are shut off because they are liable for past-due bills along with a continuing monthly fee.
“When water is shut off for nonpayment, the customer is three or four months in arrears,” Timmons said.
“By that time, they have a difficult time dealing with that amount of debt.”
After the meeting, Faber said he would like to re-examine the low-income rates at a future time.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
