Increases in Water Rates, SDCs, Loom
A proposal to increase water rates by more than 100% and water systems development charges (SDCs) by 31% will go before the Wilsonville City Council on March 20th. If approved, Wilsonville's water rates and SDCs will be the highest in the region. The increases are needed to pay for the City's new Willamette River water treatment plant, approved by the voters in last September's election
City staff is proposing a water SDC increase of 31% per single family unit equivalent. With regard to water rates, staff is proposing a series of three 22% increases and a 19% increase, resulting in a net increase of more than 100%. The Budget Committee approved a 22% increase in water rates last spring which has not yet been implemented. That increase will be the first step in a series of increases which will occur either every six months or annually in order to bring rates up to the level needed to support our debt service. If not for the $10 million contribution from the Department of Corrections, water rates and SDCs would be even higher and the plant smaller. Had the Cities of Sherwood, Tigard and Tualatin been able to become partners in the treatment plant, the cost to all parties would have been less. As new partners come on line, they will pay a proportionate share of the project.
The tables below show how Wilsonville rates and SDCs compare with those of other cities.
