Moses Lake raises rates

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake is raising water, sewer and stormwater rates by 1.3 percent per month.

The city council approved the annual adjustment at a recent meeting. The change is based on the Consumer Price Index and go into effect on May 1.

Councilmembers Brent Reese and David Curnel opposed the increase on the first reading of the amended ordinance earlier in March. They argued residents had dealt with several other increases during the past year, and the city could probably could afford to delay the increase for a year.

Mayor Jon Lane asked if city staff had determined how much money the increase would raise.

City Manager Joe Gavinski answered it would be about $84,000.

Councilmember Dick Deane supported the increase during the first reading of the ordinance saying the city needed the money to continue improvements. He continued his support, saying the increase for most users would be about 30 cents a month.

"As the larger amounts of water is used, it does go up to 50 cents or 60 cents, but for the standard home it's 30 cents," he said.

Councilmembers Bill Ecret, Karen Liebrecht, Richard Pearce, Deane and Mayor Jon Lane supported the amendment. Curnel opposed it. Reese was not present at the meeting.