2014 Rate Changes
Friday, November 22, 2013
Highline Water District advertised public notice of a rate hearing on its website and in the Westside Weekly Newspaper for two consecutive weeks. The Highline Board conducted a rate hearing at its special board meeting on Wednesday, November 20th at 9:00 am. Afterwards, the Board raised the District's water rates by approximately 2.2% effective January 1, 2014.
Average single family residential customers using 600 cubic feet (6 ccf) of water per winter month and 850 cubic feet (8.5 ccf) of water per summer month will see their monthly bill increase by approximately $0.85 per month or $1.71 for a two month bill.
The primary reason for the rate increase is to pay for needed capital improvement projects and to keep up with inflationary expenses.
|
Meter Size Single-family Residential |
2014 Monthly Base Rate |
2014 Winter Rate |
2014 Summer (0 - 5 ccf) |
2014 Summer (6+ ccf) |
|
|
10/1 - 5/31 |
6/1 - 9/30 |
6/1 - 9/30 |
|
|
Low Income - Sr / Disabled |
$9.36 |
$3.55 |
$3.55 |
$4.20 |
|
5/8" or ¾" |
$14.40 |
$3.55 |
$3.55 |
$4.20 |
|
1" |
$25.61 |
$3.55 |
$3.55 |
$4.20 |
|
1.5" |
$43.47 |
$3.55 |
$3.55 |
$4.20 |
|
2" |
$66.72 |
$3.55 |
$3.55 |
$4.20 |
The Board made amendments to two different types of fees for new development. The Board decreased the District's fee that it charges new customers to install 1.5" and 2.0" meters. The reason for the fee decrease is due to the District switching to a lower-priced brand of meter than it was previously using and passing on the savings to those buying new meters.
The Board increased its labor rates that it charges new development within the District to reflect wages, benefits, payroll taxes and other expenses. This is the District's first labor rate increase in the past six years, since 2008. The labor rates include engineering, construction and admin staff. These fee changes will have no effect on existing ratepayers.
