Sims lauds County Council for adopting stable sewer rate and fees in 2008- King County

May 30, 2007

Sims lauds County Council for adopting stable sewer rate and fees in 2008

Customers served by King County's wastewater utility will see no change in their monthly sewer bill in 2008 for the portion of sewer services provided by King County's Wastewater Treatment Division.

The County Council yesterday voted unanimously to adopt County Executive Ron Sims' proposal to hold monthly sewer rates at $27.95 and set the capacity charge at $46.25, which is 7.5 percent below last year's projections.

The capacity charge, currently at $42 per month, is a fee levied to newly connecting customers to help cover the cost of sewer expansion projects.

"I'm grateful for the council's support," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "The 2008 rate and the capacity charge will preserve our wastewater utility's high bond ratings, and enable us to carry out sewer improvement projects that are vital for public health, the environment, and the regional economy."

Sims' rate and capacity charge proposal was only feasible because the County Council adopted two earlier ordinances related to sewer revenue bonds, which the wastewater utility relies on to fund its major capital program.

The first ordinance strengthened the security of upcoming bond issues by allowing the extension of the repayment term to 40 years. The longer term bonds will reduce annual debt service costs and minimize impacts to the county's monthly sewer rate and capacity charge. The second proposal authorized the issuance of up to $250 million in sewer revenue bonds to fund capital projects being carried out by the Wastewater Treatment Division in 2007. If the first ordinance hadn't passed, the 2008 capacity charge would have been $3.50 a month higher at $49.75.

"As families face rising gas prices and other increases in their monthly bills, I'm pleased that we can help citizens' bottom lines by keeping sewer rates stable," said Councilmember Larry Phillips, Chair of the Regional Water Quality Committee. "I appreciate Executive Sims' leadership finding ways to keep rates stable without sacrificing premium water quality."

The Wastewater Treatment Division's proposed capital spending is $320 million in 2007 and $443 million in 2008, which includes the new Brightwater treatment system as well as more than a dozen other vital sewer improvement projects now underway or planned for this year.

The new capacity charge of $46.25 will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2008. The sewer rate and capacity charge will be in effect until Dec. 31, 2008.

Additional information about King County's sewer rate and capacity charge is available on the Web at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/homepage/rate/.

People enjoy clean water and a healthy environment because of King County's wastewater treatment program. The county's Wastewater Treatment Division protects public health and water quality by serving 17 cities, 17 local sewer utilities and more than 1.4 million residents in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. Formerly called Metro, the regional clean-water agency now operated by King County has been preventing water pollution for more than 40 years.

King County Executive, Ron Sims County news Executive initiatives Excellence in Government Executive offices Biography Contact information King County Executive Office Ron Sims, King County Executive 701 Fifth Ave. Suite 3210 Seattle, WA 98104 Phone: 206-296-4040 Fax: 206-296-0194 TTY Relay: 711	KING COUNTY HOME \| NEWS \| SERVICES \| DIRECTORY \| CONTACT King County Executive, Ron Sims King County Executive You're in: King County Executive, Ron Sims print May 30, 2007 Sims lauds County Council for adopting stable sewer rate and fees in 2008 Customers served by King County's wastewater utility will see no change in their monthly sewer bill in 2008 for the portion of sewer services provided by King County's Wastewater Treatment Division. The County Council yesterday voted unanimously to adopt County Executive Ron Sims' proposal to hold monthly sewer rates at $27.95 and set the capacity charge at $46.25, which is 7.5 percent below last year's projections. The capacity charge, currently at $42 per month, is a fee levied to newly connecting customers to help cover the cost of sewer expansion projects. "I'm grateful for the council's support," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "The 2008 rate and the capacity charge will preserve our wastewater utility's high bond ratings, and enable us to carry out sewer improvement projects that are vital for public health, the environment, and the regional economy." Sims' rate and capacity charge proposal was only feasible because the County Council adopted two earlier ordinances related to sewer revenue bonds, which the wastewater utility relies on to fund its major capital program. The first ordinance strengthened the security of upcoming bond issues by allowing the extension of the repayment term to 40 years. The longer term bonds will reduce annual debt service costs and minimize impacts to the county's monthly sewer rate and capacity charge. The second proposal authorized the issuance of up to $250 million in sewer revenue bonds to fund capital projects being carried out by the Wastewater Treatment Division in 2007. If the first ordinance hadn't passed, the 2008 capacity charge would have been $3.50 a month higher at $49.75. "As families face rising gas prices and other increases in their monthly bills, I'm pleased that we can help citizens' bottom lines by keeping sewer rates stable," said Councilmember Larry Phillips, Chair of the Regional Water Quality Committee. "I appreciate Executive Sims' leadership finding ways to keep rates stable without sacrificing premium water quality." The Wastewater Treatment Division's proposed capital spending is $320 million in 2007 and $443 million in 2008, which includes the new Brightwater treatment system as well as more than a dozen other vital sewer improvement projects now underway or planned for this year. The new capacity charge of $46.25 will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2008. The sewer rate and capacity charge will be in effect until Dec. 31, 2008. Additional information about King County's sewer rate and capacity charge is available on the Web at http://dnr.metrokc.gov/wtd/homepage/rate/. People enjoy clean water and a healthy environment because of King County's wastewater treatment program. The county's Wastewater Treatment Division protects public health and water quality by serving 17 cities, 17 local sewer utilities and more than 1.4 million residents in King, Snohomish and Pierce counties. Formerly called Metro, the regional clean-water agency now operated by King County has been preventing water pollution for more than 40 years.
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	Updated: May 30, 2007