Moses Lake rates to increase

MOSES LAKE - Two Moses Lake city councilmembers questioned increasing water, sewer and stormwater fees after a previous series of fee increases.

The discussion occurred during the first reading of an amended ordinance increasing rates by 1.3 percent.

The city adjusts rates annually using the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Councilmember Brent Reese asked whether the city has always increased its water and sewer rates every year.

"For the past couple of years, the water (and) sewer rates, everybody has been talking about them. They went up due to (the) ambulance fees and whatnot," he said. "Has it always increased by the CPI every year for the past 10 years?"

City Manager Joe Gavinski said since the ordinance has been in place, the city used the CPI to set rates every year.

"There was at least once where the CPI was zero and there wasn't any increase, but it has been brought back to you based on the ordinance using the CPI numbers," he said.

Reese asked if it would hurt the fund if the city didn't increase it by 1.3 percent.

"I don't think I can tell you that tonight," Gavinski said. "I'm not even sure if (Finance Director) Ron (Cone) has that calculation, but if you want it we can bring it back to you."

Reese said he wants to know.

Councilmember Dick Deane said the annual increases are necessary if the city wants to continue improving its service. He pointed to the Longview Tracts area of the city, saying work in the area is nearly complete.

"Some eight years ago, when myself and a couple other city councilmen came on shift duty here, we were very concerned about the Longview Tracts. That's been an eight-year ongoing push to come up with that project," he said. "I can see a reason why the entire community can chip in together and help get that project (finished.)"

Deane said the city has more places needing development than funds available for the improvements.

"I don't think we can reduce that amount," he said. "If we went out and developed everything we needed to do right now, we wouldn't have the money to do it."

Councilmember Richard Pearce pointed out the increased rates reflect the increase costs of construction.

"The water system costs us. If we go after contractors, they've got to spend more for gas, equipment, labor. Why, that is reflected in their bids," he said. "When we work on our own sewer system with our own personnel, we've paid them more, we've given them an increase in wages. We have to buy more expensive equipment."

Pearce said he has been concerned with the cost of the bill to residents, but he doesn't feel comfortable giving up the annual increase.

"I just think it's wise to keep that in there," he said. "There are a lot of projects coming up and this has given us some latitude and freedom to use that system and advance that system and keep it in good shape that many municipalities don't have."

Pearce continued, saying other cities try to keep the rates down, attempting to do a favor for the constituents, but it means the system starts to fail.

Councilmember David Curnel agreed with Reese, saying the city can probably afford to delay the increase for a year.

Reese said he usually agrees with the CPI increase every year, but he felt the people should get some relief this year.

"There are a good amount of funds in here. I think bypassing this one year would probably work OK. We can come back next year. If we need to go two percent next year, depending on what happens," he said.

Pearce, Deane, Councilmembers Bill Ecret and Karen Liebrecht approved the change to proceed to a second reading. Curnel and Reese opposed.