Water rates to increase in Othello

Citizens speak out against the increase

OTHELLO — Othello citizens are expected to see a rate increase on their water bills soon.

The Othello City Council is deciding on how high to raise the water rates to help conform to their 2007 budget and to help fund two major projects.

The two projects to be partially funded with the rate increase includes drilling a $1 million well and a $130,000 reservoir recondition.

Council did not take action on the rate increase, but tabled the motion pending further discussion.

During the meeting, council discussed an 8.28 percent increase each year for three years in a row. Some felt the increase may be too high as it approaches the third year.

"Personally I am a little uncomfortable with going this high," Councilmember Tim Wilson said. "We're a farm community … Most families are two income families (here)."

Wilson suggested the rate increase be closer to the annual cost of living increase he defined as four percent.

"I would think that was unacceptable to do that all in one shot," McKay said.

He said the rate increase was too large and by the third year it could be overbearing for rate payers.

Several Othello citizens came to the Monday night meeting to learn about the rate increases and to show their opposition.

Citizen Bill Briggs presented the council with a list of signatures of those who opposed the 8.28 percent rate increase.

He felt the increase was unfair to citizens, he said.

Citizen Larry Bray was also against the rate increase.

"I think it is unfair to ask for a water increase from the water customers," he said.

Both thought the increase was too high.

Finance Director Mike Bailey presented the council with a hypothetical situation of what a water bill would look like with the 8.28 percent increase. The example was based on a real water bill belonging to a councilmember.

The monthly base water rate without using any water is $23.37, Bailey said. The rate stays the same until a residence uses more than 8 units of water. The first 8 units cost .39 cents each under the proposed increase and Bailey demonstrated the costs if council increased it by three more cents.

One unit of water is equal to 740 gallons.

Bailey used the month of July as a worst case scenario. The highest number of units used were 71. The proposed increase in water rates made the bill go from $60.81 to $76.56, he said.

Although council is adverse to making the increase, some agree an increase is necessary.

"They are challenged to use less water," Councilmember Marc Spohr said.

The increase might promote water conservation, he added.

Councilmember Eleanor Brodahl was concerned about funding an emergency project.

"What if a well goes dry?" she said. "I want us to be ready for those."

Council discussed reviewing the increase every year rather than setting it for the next three years.

"Eight percent times three years is a little hard-core," McKay said. "We may not need to increase in the second year."

Council discussed how there may not be a need for drilling a future $1 million well.

McKay assured no decisions will be made until after a Feb. 12 meeting with the water district.