County’s Sewer Fees Expected To Increase

There’s no question the cost of laying sewer lines in the North Spokane suburbs is going up.

There are plenty of questions about how best to pay.

That was the message given to more than 150 North Side residents at a meeting hosted last week by the county utilities department.

“At this point there are no right or wrong answers. We just want to hear what you think,” Spokane County Utilities Director Bruce Rawls told those gathered at Whitworth Presbyterian Church.

Urbanization coupled with tougher environmental restrictions has spawned an unprecedented demand for county sewer lines. To meet that need in a time of decreased state funding, the county is considering several options.

One thing is certain already: All three charges now imposed on sewer users - a $555 connection fee to pay for the main treatment plant and trunk or interceptor lines, a charge of between $1,500 and $3,500 to build lines in residential streets; and a $17 monthly fee to fund maintenance and operations - will increase.

The utilities staff will recommend in January a change in the connection charge. If staff recommendations are approved by the Spokane County commissioners, the fee to connect to the county system may go from $555 to $1,075 next year and rise to $1,395 by the year 2000.

A decision on the charge may come in January and would affect all residents who connect in 1996 and beyond.

Other changes depend on citizen response.

One option presented to residents would change the way neighborhood sewer lines are built by using county revenue bonds. The current method of forming ULID, or utility local improvement districts, has been in place since 1984.

But ULIDs are slow and offer no guarantee that the areas most in need of sewers receive them. Residents have to petition the county to establish districts, and a majority of property owners is required for one to proceed.

ULIDs also offer no break for large parcels, as they are assessed based on highest and best use of the land, and opposition is often strongest from these owners.

Utilities staff members say using general revenue bonds, approved by a vote of county commissioners, can allow the county to build lines where they are most needed, based on priorities set by health officials.

But that method gives less say to residents on when they get sewers, though more options are available to commissioners on assessing charges to large parcels and reducing costs to those of low income.

Residents were asked their views on both methods, and opinions will be tallied before a recommendation is made to commissioners, Rawls said.

Residents who came to the meeting were a mixed lot. Some wanted to sewers as soon as possible, while others wanted to avoid the costs.

“I’m tired of a septic system. I want a sewer,” said Laura Bloxham, a Whitworth College instructor who lives near campus.

One row of chairs over, however, was Mary Riley, who recently built a duplex at 9607 N. Howard. She said she can’t afford the $8,000 for sewer connections, especially after paying for a septic system and drainfield.

“We’re trying to stay off,” she said. “We have a new system and a new place. We just can’t afford it.”

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: MEETING SCHEDULED Another sewer meeting is planned for 7 p.m. Wednesday in the west cafeteria at Mead High School, 302 W. Hastings Road. For more information, call the county utilities department, 324-3286.