Editor’s note: This is an amended version of the story that appears in print today, Dec. 3. Two figures — the city’s overall budget figure and the city’s Transportation Benefit District budget — are corrected below. MD
Sequim City residents can expect an increase in sewer fees and possibly water fees depending on your usage in 2015.
Following the Sequim City councilors’ vote to approve the city’s 2015 budget and fees on Nov. 24, worth $37.9 million, residents will receive a 2.71 percent increase in their sewer bill or about $1.50 per month for the average rate payer.
Also, depending on a resident’s water use, their rate may change, too, due to a new ordinance restructuring water bills. The restructuring stems from a council-approved ordinance in October that switches the city from a flat-rate water system to a volume-based system on three levels: 0-600 cubic feet for tier 1, 601-1,599 for tier 2 and 1,600-plus for tier 3.
Currently, Sequim residents pay based on two tiers — below and above 800 cubic feet. In the proposal, 190 customers would move up to tier 2 and pay up to $5 more per month for water and sewer.
City staff said that those customers who use 600-799 cubic feet of water services have until April 2015 to adjust their flows to less than 600 to enact the lower rate.
Tentatively, the ordinance guides the city to proposed 3.58 percent water and 2.84 percent sewer increases in 2016.
City staff said the idea behind the restructuring would be to promote conservation and help pay for capital projects.
Councilor Erik Erichsen opposed the updated fees ordinance, the budget and a 1-percent tax levy increase that would generate about $13,000 for the city particularly on sewer and water bills for the well-being of Sequim’s senior citizens.
“These people live on fixed incomes and they will receive the brunt of the changes and I do not feel we should not be taking more money than we really need to provide the services we need, especially those who cannot afford them,” Erichsen said.
Erichsen also opposed the budget, as he has for several years on principle, because it includes contracts with local agencies such as the Boys & Girls Club which he sees the city funding as charitable contributions.
“In my whole tenure, I have the feeling that the council doesn’t want to spend their own money for charities but the taxpayers’ money on charities,” he said.
The contracts for 2015 include $75,000 for health and human service contracts including the Dungeness Valley Health & Wellness Clinic ($22,500), Boys & Girls Club ($20,250), Healthy Families ($11,250), Parenting Matters and Serenity House of Clallam County ($5,250 each) and Peninsula Behavioral Health ($3,750).
The Visitor Information Center also will receive $72,400 and the Clallam Economic Development Council $5,000 for their services.
Councilor Ted Miller said he agreed with Erichsen in principle but wasn’t going to vote against the entirety of the budget due to a few reservations.
More on the books
Sequim City Manager Steve Burkett said most city departments reduced their budgets for next year.
Staffing in 2015 will remain the same with Joe Irvin, current special projects manager, to split his time as the assistant to the city manager and parks manager.
However, human resources has budgeted to recruit replacements for retirements and departures including former Public Works Director Paul Haines.
Capital projects will cost about $10.6 million with $6.3 million of that going toward completion of the Civic Center. A majority of the other projects include $1.27 million for streets, $1.1 million for water and $1.5 million for sewer projects plus $260,000 for a storm water master plan.
Councilors Erichsen, Miller and Genaveve Starr voted against buying bonds for the water and sewer portion of the Civic Center worth up to $3.5 million.
Administrative Services Director Elray Konkel said the city would pay them back over 20 years at $230,000 a year and it is part of the city’s annual payment plan of $660,000 a year toward the Civic Center.
Burkett said city staff could have proposed to pay for the project with cash or by borrowing, which they recommended because the loan rates are lower.
“Interest rates are at a historic low right now,” Burkett said.
Asked if the city is taking on too much debt, Burkett said “we (the city) are well below prudent standards for how much a city should have.”
Other budgets and fees
The Transportation Benefit District’s budget of $525,000 was approved unanimously, which includes $188,000 for pavement rehabilitation and $53,000 for city safety projects.
However, Councilor Laura Dubois said she wanted more money in the future to go to capital projects.
“I’d like to see the (Transportation Benefit District) spend less on patching and ice removal and see the city take back these functions,” Dubois said. “In the future I’d like to see the (District) do more pavement rehabilitation on streets that need that attention. At the end of 10 years (when city voters decide on continuing the district), the city is going to have to step up to ice control and I hope with the 2016 budget, we (the District) step back from that.”
Miller agreed saying the city needs to have a track record of finished projects.
“People are going to be suspicious and less likely to do a renewal,” he said.
Dubois’ suggestion was welcome, Burkett said.
“We don’t have enough money to go around for the streets we have,” he said. “It continues to be a top issue.”
City councilors also voted 4-3 with Erichsen, Starr and Deputy Mayor Dennis Smith opposed, for the 1-percent tax levy that would generate about $13,000 for the city.
Konkel said in past years when the city deferred to charge this tax that the amount would be banked for further usage but no funds are left because the city’s assessed property value has gone down from $885 million in 2011 to $813 million in 2014.
