At the April 4 Bainbridge Island City Council meeting, it will look at raising water and sewer rates by 13.5% and then 25%.
The council will also look at improvements on Madison Avenue.
Public Works director Chris Wierzbicki’s water and sewer presentation also will show needs and strategies, along with a recommendation for bill averaging. It also will show a Capital Improvement Plan and the desire for a Ferncliff main extension project.
The 13.5% increase would take place this year with 25% annual increases for at least the next two years. Along with projects, inflation is a reason given for the increases. Climate change is a reason given for average usage bills year-round.
Even with the increase, this year’s average water bill would be $29.10, less than Port Orchard’s $49.88, Poulsbo’s $35.53 and Bremerton’s $33.76.
To join into the system, commercial rates would go from (approximately) $10,000 to $14,000; single family from $5,000 to $6,000; and multifamily from $32,000 to $44,000.
That $7,125 average, up from $5,709, would still be less than Port Orchard at $12,740; but more than Bremerton at $6,680 and Poulsbo at $5,370.
To help ratepayers, reserves would be used to spread out increases over at least five years, Wierzbicki’s PowerPoint presentation says. Almost $21 million is needed to help pay state Public Works Trust fund loans and $2.5 million for a general obligation bond in 2024.
Low rates not adjusted for inflation from 2010-22 and cost to replace the Winslow Water Tank for up to $25 million are other reasons for the increase. So is an aging system, with 100% of booster pumps, 60% of wells and 15% of mains past their useful life. Staffing also is low with three new employees needed, the presentation shows.
The city also offers a 50% discount for low-income seniors and disabled customers, along with a tiered rate structure to incentivize conservation.
As for sewer rates, the recommendations are for 10% this year, 7% next and 2% each year from 2025-27. The rate would go from $94.28 to $105.20. That’s already higher than Poulsbo at $87.62; Port Orchard at $81.50; and Bremerton at $74.96.
Participation fees would go from (approximately) $8,000 to $12,000 for single family; $5,000 to $7,000 for multifamily; and $8,000 to $12,000 for commercial. Those fees would vary depending on where you are on BI, but in most cases would be in line with Port Orchard and Poulsbo, but more than Bremerton.
The fees would pay for $5.8 million in obligation bonds in 2024 and the state trust fund loan of $2.5 million.
The old age of the system, cost of maintaining the wastewater treatment plant and cost of Lovell sewer improvements are other expenses listed in the presentation. Those rates from 2010-22 also did not increase due to inflation. About 50% of pumps are past their useful life, treatment plant upgrades are needed due to state regulations, and the city is looking at benefits of wastewater reuse.
The Ferncliff extension would cost $1.5 million and serve 78 current and future customers.
As for the Madison Avenue project, the project scope from Winslow Way to Wyatt Avenue will include green-striped bike lanes and crossings. From Wyatt to High School Road sidewalks will be widened with raised bike lanes on the west side, while on the east side there will be a protected street-level bike lane and sidewalk improvements. From High School to New Brooklyn Road, there will be raised bike lanes and more. Construction would begin in late summer.
