Hillsboro Weighs Water Rate Increase, Seeks Community Input

HILLSBORO, OR — The city's Utilities Commission will vote on water rate adjustments for all residents and businesses this December. Prior to the vote, however, the commission will provide community members opportunities to offer their input.

The Utilities Commission will vote Dec. 11 on whether to adjust water costs in the city. If approved, the change would take effect Feb. 1, 2019. Hillsboro Water Department customers of all types will be allowed to offer their input at a Water Rate Public Hearing in November; additionally, customers can call, email, or write in their comments through Dec. 7.

Currently proposed water rate adjustments show increased costs for all Hillsboro Water Department customers, though costs vary based on the water customer type. The percentage increase is guided by a Water Rate Study the city commissioned earlier this year, which sought to find a way to equitably distribute costs so every customer is paying their fair share based on their own personal water usage.

The city breaks down the percentage increase for each customer class as follows:

• Single-Family Residential: 5 percent increase
• Nonprofit: 6 percent increase
• Industrial: 8.5 percent increase
• Multi-Family Residential: 19.1 percent increase
• Commercial: 19.1 percent increase
• Public Entities: 19.1 percent increase
• Irrigation: 20 percent increase

The increase for each separate customer type applies exclusively to the water portion of the city's utility bill, officials clarified in a statement. The increase will not apply to costs associated with sanitary sewer, surface water management, or transportation utility services.

For single-family customers, which reportedly make up 91 percent of the Water Department's total customer base, the 5 percent increase will cost $1.61 for someone who uses roughly 6,000 gallons of water per month, which could increase their bill from an average $32.74 to $34.35.

To check the math on all the varying water rate increases, visit Hillsboro-Oregon.gov/WaterRates.

To offer your input in person, attend the water rate public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Hillsboro Civic Center, 150 E. Main St., room 113.

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In addition to taking community feedback, the commission will provide information on:

• How water rates support the operation and maintenance of Hillsboro’s water system;
• The primary factors influencing Hillsboro’s water rate adjustments;
• Affordability resources available for water customers; and
• Steps being taking to strategically finance major water infrastructure investments over time.

Options for providing input beyond the meeting are listed below:

• By phone: 503-615-6702
• Online: Hillsboro-Oregon.gov/WaterRates
• Via email: Lindsay.Wochnick@Hillsboro-Oregon.gov
• In-Person/Mail: City of Hillsboro Water Department, 150 East Main Street, Third Floor

The final vote will be taken at a meeting scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Dec. 11 in room 207 at the Civic Center. The community is welcome to attend the vote, though public comment will not be taken at that time.

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