Changes to accomodate treatment plant
MEDICAL LAKE – Residents can expect to see an increase in service rates, including a 12% hike in garbage fees and a $2 increase in wastewater (sewer) rates.
Water rates are expected to see changes to accommodate upgrades to the Water Treatment Plant.
“We need to get to the point where it’s not losing funds, it currently uses reserves to cover the costs,” city Finance Director Koss Ronholt said during a recent City Council meeting.
“What I’m proposing is common practice with other cities, they designate a revenue source and those get deposited directly into a specific fund,” Ronholt said.
The proposed adjustments include the strategic reallocation of gas, telephone and cable business and occupation (B&O) taxes to specific funds.
“By designating revenue sources directly, we can streamline the flow of funds, ensuring they go where they are needed most,” Ronholt said.
The discussion delved into the revenue structure of the General Fund, with Mayor Terri Cooper emphasizing the challenges of maintaining financial equilibrium.
“We must ensure our public safety services are adequately funded, Cooper said.”The proposed adjustments aim to strike a balance between financial responsibility and community needs.”
In light of inflationary pressures, Ronholt noted, “We definitely feel the effects — the CPI inflation index, though a general measure, indicates the overall increase in costs for everything we purchase.”
In response to community concerns, the City Council proposed a gradual reduction in the utility tax rate from 17% to 14% by 2026.
“We are mindful of the financial strain on our residents,” Cooper said. “This reduction is a step toward a more equitable tax structure.”
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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