Wastewater, stormwater and water utility bills increase for Pacific residents and business owners on Jan. 1.
The City Council voted 6-0 to increase the rates.
Councilmember Stacy Oliveira said that “nobody wants our rates to increase,” but added that they were necessary to make infrastructure upgrades.
The rate increases were recommended to make improvements to the City’s water system. Jim Morgan, public works manager, said that includes meter replacements to reduce time spent reading them and alert staff of leaks to reduce waste and eliminate failing gauges. In addition, Morgan said the City needs to pursue capital projects, including replacement of the water main on Thornton Avenue.
The monthly service charge for a single-family residence for stormwater service will increase from an average of $13.25 to $15 per month. Wastewater rates will increase from $63.25 to $70.22 per month. Residents will notice the most significant adjustment in their water utility bills, which will increase from $26.52 to $42.25 per month. That combined total of $127.47 represents a $24.45 increase per month.
Rate hikes for commercial business will be more substantial. A business owner who paid $261.25 on average per month for all three services in 2016 can expect to spend $315.95 next year.
In other news:
The City Council voted 4-0 on Nov. 14 to approve the condemnation of properties at 224 County Line Road, and at 638 and 646 Yakima Avenue. But after consulting with City Attorney Carol Morris, Morgan said there must be a public hearing before those properties can be condemned. The City Council set that hearing for Dec. 12 at City Hall.
The late Joseph Baguio owned all three properties. Only the County Line Road property has a house on it, which is 2,050 square feet, with four bedrooms and 2½ bathrooms, per the King County assessor’s website. The house was built in 1981.
Morgan said the City wants to acquire those properties to construct an expanded public works facility next year. City officials pursued condemnation of the properties after negotiations between Baguio’s heir and Morris proved unsuccessful.
