Tacoma City Council is expected today to hear the first readings of two ordinances that would increase the rates for Wastewater, Surface Water and Solid Waste services in Tacoma.
According to Public Works officials, the rate increases are due to rising labor costs and the need to replace or upgrade infrastructure.
On Nov. 4, Tacoma City Council’s Environment and Public Works Committee approved a recommendation to increase the rates of three environmental services utilities over the next five years. If approved by the full City Council this month, Solid Waste, Waste Water, and Surface Water rates would increase annually on average 5.3 percent, 6.2 percent, and 7.8 percent, respectively, between 2009 and 2013.
According to data provided by Public Works staff, the rates are expected to change as follows:
— Solid Waste rates would increase nearly 30 percent between 2009 and 2013: five percent per year in 2009 and 2010, 5.2 percent in 2011, 5.6 percent in 2012, and 5.7 percent in 2013. Public Works staff point to increased expenses and a drop in revenue for the adjustment;
— Waste Water rates would increase 6.2 percent per year between 2009 and 2013, for a cumulative increase of 35.1 percent. Public Works staff point to increases in debt service and assessments, and an eight percent reduction in commercial customer usage as reasons for the rate adjustment;
— Surface Water rates would increase 7.8 percent per year between 2009 and 2013, for a cumulative increase of 45.6 percent. Public Works staff cite a $1 million increase in debt service, a need for $1.4 million to be environmentally compliant, and increases in assessments for the rate adjustment.
On Sept. 18, Tacoma’s Environmental Services Commission, an 11-member commission representing the city’s business, residential, and regulatory concerns, wrote a letter in support of the recommendations to City Manager Eric Anderson.
City Council is expected to hear the first reading of two ordinances to change the rates during it’s regularly scheduled meeting today at 5 p.m. in Council Chambers, Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market St. It will hear a second reading of the ordinances Dec. 9 before voting.
