MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — Water and sewer bills are likely to go up but you won’t have to pay the higher prices until 2013.
The City Council tonight will consider proposals to increase commercial and residential water and sewer rates beginning in 2013 and lasting through 2016.
The changes are the result of the latest rate adjustments that happen every five years.
If the council approves the plan, residential rates would increase 3.5 percent in 2013 and 2014 then 3.75 percent in 2015 and 2016. Under that proposal, the average residential customer would see base rates increase from $16.26 every two months in 2012 to $16.83 in 2013 and $17.40 in 2014. Charges would increase to $18.10 in 2015 and $18.80 in 2016.
Part of the proposal includes a provision to charge customers a tiered extra fee for using more water and to increase commercial rates. The average residential customer uses about 700 cubic feet a month, said assistant city manager Scott Hugill.
“We are proposing if you use more than 10 cubic feet a month you’ll see a slight increase in what you pay,” Hugill said.
Officials also are proposing the city move to a new, automatic meter reading system.
Officials are asking the council to approve the new rates now so the city can secure lower bond rates for water and sewer construction projects.
“We want to use the month of July to go to (bond) rating agencies,” Hugill said.
For more information, go to the city’s website at www.cityofmlt.com and click on “online public meetings.”
Oscar Halpert: 425-339-3429; ohalpert@heraldnet.com.
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