STANWOOD — People can expect to see higher utility bills starting Jan. 1.
Annual water and sewer rate increases that were adopted by the city council in 2013 and 2011 continue this year with a 5 percent hike in water bills and 3.5 percent for sewer.
That amounts to about $2.40 per month on the average combined utility bill in Stanwood, or exactly $4.81 per two-month billing period, according to the city.
Residential water rates are currently $22.10 for in-city customers and $32.05 for out-of-city. Discounts are available for low-income seniors or disabled customers.
Sewer rates sit at $37.15 per month for homes, with increases for commercial and industrial properties and decreases for low-income seniors or disabled ratepayers.
The increases are meant to better fund infrastructure and staffing as well as allow the city to tuck money into reserve funds for emergencies or future projects, according to the city’s finance department.
A water and sewer rate study was completed in December 2010, prompting City Council votes in 2011 and 2013 to increase the rates.
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