Town planning $5 sewer rate increases

The Cathlamet town council is proposing to raise sewer bills $5 a month, effective July 1, for the next three years to build reserves for sewer system operations.

Councilmember David Goodroe proposed the increase, and after discussion the council asked Attorney Bill Faubion to write a proposed ordinance to implement the increase.

The ordinance should be presented at the council’s April meeting, and the council can then set public hearing dates to act on it.

“Sewer plant replacement costs and the costs associated with operating the systems have reached the point where a monthly fee of $30 is no longer realistic to cover these costs,” Goodroe said in a written report.

The council began increasing sewer bills $5 per month in 2004; the increases have produced a reserve of about $124,000 he said.

Sewer plant replacment cost is estimated at $4.5 to $5 million. To obtain federal funds for a new plant, the town would pay a 10 percent match, $500,000, he said.

By making the increases, the town could have a sufficient reserve in about 2010, he said.

Under the proposal, rates would increase from $30 to $35 per month on July 1; they would go to $40 on January 1, 2008, and $45 on January 1, 2009.

Goodroe noted that the fees won’t be out of line with other communities; Castle Rock sewer customers now pay $50 per month, and Rainier, Ore., customers are facing increases from $31 to $80 per month to pay for their plant’s expansion.