Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Dedicated to the citizens of Mason County, Washington since 1886
Cost of water utility to rise to $5 million by 2029
The High School Reservoir is one of Shelton's five reservoirs. The city will raise basic monthly water service rates from $46 to almost $75 by 2029 to meet operating expenses and pay back loans.
A chart included in an Aug. 8 presentation to the Shelton City Council by the FCS Group surveying monthly water and sewer rates around the region and how Shelton rates compare with those comparable cities. Correction: A box on the front page of the Sept. 14 issue comparing Shelton water and sewer rates with other towns used incorrect figures - the numbers refer to the city's general facilities charges, not the monthly single-family rates. This is the corrected graphic. The Journal regrets the error.
The Shelton City Council voted Tuesday evening to raise basic monthly water service rates from $46 to almost $75 by 2029 and basic monthly sewer rates 4.5% in each of the next three years to meet operating expenses and pay back loans.
The council unanimously gave preliminary agreement to the rates at its Sept. 5 regular meeting. They were recommended by the consulting firm of FCS Group.
No one spoke Tuesday during the public comment period on the rate increases.
The basic rate for monthly water service, before any water is used, will rise 14% from $46.09 currently to $52.54 in 2024; increase 14% again in 2025 to $59.90; another 14% in 2026 to $68.28; 3% in 2027 to $70.34; 3% in 2028 to $72.45; and 3% in 2029 to $74.62.
The basic monthly sewer rate for a single-family residential unit or duplex will rise from $54.14 this year to $56.58 in 2024, $59.12 in 2025 and $61.78 in 2026.
The city reports the amount of money needed to operate the water utility will rise from $3 million this year to $5 million in 2029.
"Same as the sewer, we have to go forward with this," council member Kathy McDowell said of the water rate increases. "We're raising the water rate because we need storage and we don't want to end up having the town burn down because we don't have storage for our water. We need it. It's going to be a pinch for a while, but I think we'll be able to do it."
Mayor Eric Onisko said the rate increases are needed "so we can keep staff and have money to fix broken pipes and also start putting money away for either matching funds or stretch funds to replace water tanks."
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