Bonney Lake to Consider Review of Sewer, Water Rates at Tonight’s City Council Meeting

Two rate changes affecting Bonney Lake homeowners are on the agenda of tonight’s city council meeting – an increase in sewer and a decrease in water rates.

City officials have expressed hope that the rate changes will balance each other in the citizen’s pocketbook.

Below is a breakdown of both ordinances. Join Bonney Lake at the regular council meeting tonight, May 8 at 7 p.m. in the Justice Center.

A Reduction in Water Rates

The Bonney Lake City Council is considering a reduction in water rates by $2.69 per month, making the base rate $14 per month for residents with additional adjustments for sprinkler rates.

The city hopes that the drop in water rates will encourage citizens to keep their lawns green.

The city plans for a relatively low sprinkling rate for parts of the city but an “increasingly progressive rate” for blocks that consume more, according to the ordinance. Thus, the ordinance reduces the base rate for all city residents and maintains a conservation-based rate structure for higher consumption levels.

The council decided to bring the idea to a vote after discussion on removing the additional summertime rate increase on water consumption. The rate increase was created originally to conserve Bonney Lake’s water supply, but a supply increase has now made that unnecessary.

If passed, the ordinance would reduce the city’s water revenue by $345,790 but would still capture 70 percent of the operating revenue.

An Increase in Sewer Rates

The Bonney Lake Council is expected to vote on an ordinance that would increase sewer rates in town by 10 percent a year over the next four years, to bring revenues in line with utility costs.

City studies show that the average homeowner will see their rate increase about $5 per month if the ordinance passes.

The decision goes back to a 2010 study that determined Bonney Lake’s sewer rates were not enough to cover operations and maintenance on the city system. At the time, the council did not want to put the additional burden on residents due to the economy but are revisiting the matter now.