Seattle’s plan to hold down utility rate hikes through 2020
Jul 1, 2014, 4:09 PM | Updated: 5:34 pm
A new, strategic plan for Seattle Public Utilities aims to hold down rate increases for the next six years.
The business plan calls for annual rate increases of 4.6 percent, down from an average of 7 percent over the last ten years.
The city expects to maintain predictable, lower rates by cutting and consolidating some programs and prioritizing other work.
“Stopping sewage overflows and drainage problems, we’re going to be working to reduce flooding in flood-prone neighborhoods, we’re going to be doing more cleaning of sewer pipes and we’re doing a lot of work preparing for climate change,” said SPU spokesman Andy Ryan. Another stated priority is protecting the drinking water supply.
Seattle Public Utilities handles water, sewer, drainage and garbage but not electricity.
The city worked on the plan for two years, taking suggestions from almost 1,000 ratepayers, said Ryan.
The city council will review the strategic plan over the summer, holding community hearings, before voting on final approval.
