The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG - City res- idents will see an increase in their water/sewer statements come January - but only about half of what was origi- nally proposed. At Monday night's City Council meeting the board approved a water/ sewer increase of 3% to begin with the January 2014 statement.

City Administrator Ran- dy Hinchliffe proposed an increase of $4.90, either to be initiated with the January bill or phased in over time. The amount was arrived at by evaluating the rate of inflation over the last 10 years and determining what a rate increase would have been, had they been taken regularly. Hinchliffe noted that there have only been two utility rate increases in the last ten years. He said that structural improvements have eroded fund reserves over time and the city has upcoming needs such as line upgrades and well repairs.

"I hate to remedy a tenyear backlog in one fell swoop," said Council Mem- ber K.C. Kuykendall. He suggested a 3% increase in water and sewer rates, to be revisited, and possibly raised annually over the next three years. The 3% translates to a $2/month increase in billing as opposed to the suggested $4.90. Hinchliffe comment- ed that the $2 increase would be enough to cover expenses but would not provide funds to put away for future expen- ditures.

Council members voted unanimously to approve the 3% increase.