Kent water, sewer bills to jump 9 percent in January as city seeks new wells

Kent residents can expect to see an increase in water and sewer bills in January as the city seeks to add new well capacity and maintain the current system.

Kent City Council voted 7-1 Wednesday in favor of raising sewer and water rates by 9%, with member Tracy Wallach (Ward 6) the only dissenting vote. John Kuhar (Ward 4) was absent. Rates also will increase by 3 percent a year beginning in 2024, although council can review those increases.

According to the new rate sheet, costs will rise from $42.97 to $46.83 for 1,000 cubic feet of water usage up to and including 100,000 cubic feet of water. The minimum water charge also will increase from $12.00 to $14.05 per month.

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Sewer costs will increase from $60.34 to $65.77 per 1,000 cubic feet of use. Customers will see the minimum charge increase from $18.12 per month to $19.73 monthly.

There are additional rate changes for larger volume customers.

Brian Huff, Kent's financial controller, said the average monthly cost of an "all-inclusive" utility bill is $79.57. With the increases, the cost will go up $6.44 resulting in a total bill of $86.01.

Why the rate increase is needed

City Manager Dave Ruller outlined in an email to the Record-Courier how the city will put the new funds to use.

The revenue pays for daily operations and costly capital projects, including repairs, replacements and upgrades to utility infrastructure, Ruller wrote.

In 2011, council adopted a rate stabilization plan that's used to pay for the city's wastewater and water plant infrastructure and operational costs, including parts, treatment chemicals, personnel, electricity and supplies.

During an update to council during a special meeting of the finance committee on Nov. 16, Superintendent of Engineering James Bowling warned that Kent has lost well capacity due to natural breakdown of wells, like silt build-up and changes to the aquifer.

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Because developing new well sources is expensive, Kent has done its best to extend the service life of these wells, Ruller said.

"Engineers are advising us that at this point, it is critical to start developing new well sources because of the lengthy lead time requirements and potentially high cost involved with establishing new wells," Ruller wrote. "The 9% rate increase will enable the city to start making the investments needed to secure the new well(s) so that we never get in a position where we have an inadequate supply of water."

Council comments on legislation

Ward 5 Councilwoman Heidi Shaffer Bish said the rates have been discussed for years.

"Nobody wants to have to raise rates, but it is our fiduciary responsibility to ensure that these utilities pay for themselves," she said. "We're not looking for a profit, but the utility is supposed to be self-funding."

So far, she said, Kent has managed to get by without a rate increase due to grants and other offsets in cost, something she hopes will happen again.

"I did hope to be able to delay this, and I consulted with city staff and realized that this was the right thing to do," Shaffer Bish said.

At-Large Councilman Roger Sidoti said the legislation passed Wednesday included rates that were cut in half from the original proposal.

Council is well aware how important every cent is to people on a fixed budget, said Robin Turner of Ward 3.

"We're trying to find every way possible to help diminish the effects on low-income people, of which I'm one," Turner said. "I understand the decisions that are being made here are being made in the interest of the community in its totality. I hope the people understand that, and they stick with us, and believe we are doing what's in their interest."

Wallach said that she voted no on both rate increases because, in her opinion, it would have been better to raise costs incrementally.

"Next year, utility bills are really going to jump up, and this is going to add around $7 to the utility bills which, for a lot of people, it's a big jump," she said.

Contact reporter Derek Kreider at DKreider@Gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Kent City Council raises water and sewer rates by 9% for 2023