Water rate hike of 30 percent over five years proposed

It’s been almost five years since the water rates went up in Point Roberts, and ratepayers can expect a significant hike this year.

Water district manager Dan Bourks said the cost of water purchased from the Greater Vancouver Water District (GVWD) has continued to increase annually and the district has not adjusted its rates to reflect that. “It’s been too long,” Bourks said, as the district moved its office and changed rate consultants.

In 2019, the district’s new rate consultant, Ashley Emery of Peninsula Financial Services, is proposing the base rate increase approximately 10 percent from $79.20 for 500 cubic feet per two-month billing period to $87.12. Future five-percent annual increases are proposed for 2020-2023. There is no increase proposed for the general facilities fee and the cost of installation of a new service, Bourks said.

Emery is also proposing commissioners approve a separate irrigation rate as requested by the owners of the Bald Eagle Golf Club, but the rate has not been set.

“We still have a few more things to work out,” Bourks said. The district has a contract to provide the golf course with an interruptible supply of water that is not needed for domestic consumption.

Bourks said the arrangement not only helps maintain the golf course, but helps keep rates down. The district is under contract with the GVWD to buy a set amount of water every month and it is almost always more than what is used. Selling the excess to the golf course spreads out the cost of water.

Bourks said commissioners would also consider revising the usage level covered by the base rate. “We might look at the water you get with the base rate since there are so many zero-usage meters most of the year,” he said. If the cost and amount of water for the base rate is lowered, it is expected the cost of additional water usage would go up commensurately.

Emery will attend their March 12 monthly meeting to present proposed changes to the rate structure. Commissioners will take public comment on the new proposed rates. The meeting will be held at the Gulf Road community center beginning at 5 p.m.