INSIDE

District approves new water rates

By Pat Grubb

Just two members of the public were on hand to hear water district commissioners Renée Coe and Madelaine Anderson vote to accept new water rates and general facility charges at a June 22 special meeting. It was a far cry from the 40-plus crowd that turned out to comment on the proposed rates at a public hearing held three days before at the community center.

Acceptance of the new rates means the commissioners and district staff can now turn to deciding how the remaining 160 allowable water connections will be allocated and thus ending the current years-long moratorium on water hookups.

Under the new rates, typical single-family residences will see an increase in their bill from $40.28 to $46.76 in 2007 to $53.01 in 2008, or 16.1% and 31.6%, respectively from current rates. Multi-family residential units (greater than four units) and commercial users would see an increase from $55 to $78.49 and $124.27 or an increase of 43% and 126%, respectively.

The golf course will see its basic charge increase from $227.04 to $361.76 in 2007 and $513.54 in 2008, or 59% and 126.18%, respectively.

Increases would not be limited to 2007 and 2008, however. Depending upon which capital expenditures actually get built, the consultants have projected that by 2012 single-family residences, commercial users and the golf course would increase to a base rate of $89.50, $209.78 and $866.94, respectively.

The bad news doesn’t end there, however. General Facilities Charges (GFC) to connect to the system have been increased from $1,500 to $5,500, a 266% increase. The GFCs are levied on new connections in order to have latecomers pay their share of the existing as well as a portion of new infrastructure that is required in order to service the newcomers. In setting the GFC, the water commissioners adopted what is known as the average cost method. This method recognizes that existing and future customers benefit from both existing and future facilities. It typically results in lower GFCs than would be the case if all future improvements are borne by future customers. Under the latter scenario, called the growth pays for growth option, the GFC was projected to cost $21,390, a figure that could be expected to significantly dampen growth in Point Roberts. Under the adopted GFC, both current and future users are expected to pay for future improvements of the system, whether current users benefit from them or not.

This was clearly one concern of audience members at the Tuesday, June 19 meeting at the community center, especially from seasonal residents who were concerned with current monthly charges. “We don’t use much water,” said one man, “It’s cheaper at home. The minimum charge is getting out of hand. As Canadians, we have no say.”

Tom Miller urged the board to consider other means to augment the water supply. “I think we need to start thinking outside the box,” pointing out that there are already predictions of water shortages in the greater Vancouver region (the source of Point Roberts water). The audience enthuiastically applauded Miller’s assertion that Texas-style home cisterns could provide partial solution to the Point’s water woes.

Former water district commissioner Syd Wallace asserted the proposed 3 million gallon water reservoir is of limited value because the district would be unable to recharge it during the summer. “There’s no consideration of conservation,” she said.

Given the financial stakes involved, the crowd was remarkably well-behaved by Point Roberts standards if one discounts Steven Sweetwood’s somewhat vague statement that “Corruption in Point Roberts is like hockey in Canada.” That brought a stern rebuke from district attorney John Milne who, incredulous, asked Sweetwood if he was suggesting the board was corrupt and told him his statement was “completely out of order and inappropriate.”

The new charges and rates are intended to pay for a new three million gallon reservoir (part of those costs may be borne by developers), expected increases in water supply costs, 35 miles of water main replacements, new remote meter reading equipment, enhanced fire flow capacity and possible new office and storage facilities.