Utility Rate Open House

These revisions are revenue neutral to the City, meaning that the revisions neither increase nor decrease total revenues. The revisions are intended to better reflect usage and demands on the system. Those who use less would pay less, and those who use more would pay more.

• Reduce the water base fee and remove the four units of water included in that amount. Water will be billed based on consumption.
• Reduce the single-family residential sewer flat fee, and charge sewer usage based on the lower of the winter water consumption average (October-March), or the actual water usage.
• Residents would have more control over their bill. Those who use less would pay less, and those who use more would pay more.

• Reduce the water base fee and remove the four units of water included in that amount. Water will be billed based on consumption.
• The base charges for water and sewer would be adjusted to a percentage of the single family base rates to reflect efficiencies in processing multi-family accounts, while accounting for service usage and demand on the water and sewer systems.

• Replace the Retired Household Discount by folding it into the current Utility Assistance program, which is based on financial need.

• No changes

A new fee passed by the State for the Urban Flood Safety and Water Quality District, which manages the levees on the Columbia River, will hit bills in January. The amount of this new fee will be roughly a 1.5% increase in the overall utility bill.

For more information on SB 1517, which was effective June 6, 2024, click here.