{"id":2343317,"date":"2024-09-19T10:07:55","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T14:07:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/proposed-utility-rates-in-spokane-could-hike-residential-bills-over-10-by-2026-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-09-19T10:11:47","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T14:11:47","slug":"proposed-utility-rates-in-spokane-could-hike-residential-bills-over-10-by-2026-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/proposed-utility-rates-in-spokane-could-hike-residential-bills-over-10-by-2026-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Proposed utility rates in Spokane could hike residential bills over 10% by 2026 &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">32<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fproposed-utility-rates-in-spokane-could-hike-residential-bills-over-10-by-2026-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2343317&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A recent proposal in Spokane could lead to over a 10% increase\u200d in residential \u2063utility bills \u2063by 2026, as current rates are \u2063set\u2063 to expire \u200bat the \u200dend \u200dof 2024. Public \u2064Works \u200dDirector Marlene \u2063Feist \u2063presented a plan that suggests\u200c a\u200c 4.88% increase for 2025, resulting \u2062in an additional monthly charge of approximately $7.14, followed by another 5.47% increase in 2026,\u2064 adding about $8.40 more per month. If approved, the average residential utility bill\u200c would rise to around \u200d$153.41 in 2025 and $161.81 in \u20642026, compared to the current rate\u200c of $146.27. Additionally, during winter, bills might decrease\u2062 due to reduced water \u2064usage, resulting in \u2063approximately \u2062$139.50 for \u20632025 and \u2064$147.13 for 2026.\u200c Feist noted\u200b the\u200c increasing pressure on utilities, citing significant \u2063rate hikes in neighboring \u200dareas.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Proposed utility rates in Spokane could hike residential bills over 10% by 2026<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1763999\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square)&nbsp;&ndash;&nbsp;Spokane&rsquo;s utility rates expire at the end of 2024, and with new fares coming in their place, the difference might cost residents another $180 annually by 2026.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Utility rates cover water service, the resulting consumption\/usage, garbage, wastewater, stormwater and capital. Residents pay for the services under rates that could increase by more than 10% over two years if the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/los-angeles-city-council-approves-vax-mandate-to-enter-indoor-restaurants-gyms-and-other-businesses\/\" title=\"Los Angeles City Council Approves Vax Mandate To Enter Indoor Restaurants, Gyms, And Other Businesses\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-red-wave-of-conservative-women-elected-to-congress\/\" title=\"The Red Wave of Conservative Women Elected to Congress\">city council<\/a> approves<\/a> those presented on Monday by Public Works Director Marlene Feist.<\/p>\n<p>That proposal included a 4.88% overall increase in residential bills for 2025, about $7.14 more per month compared to 2024. Feist said those rates would increase by another 5.47% in 2026, tacking on an additional $8.40 monthly compared to 2025.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;About a week or two ago, Snoqualmie had to approve a 42% increase in their garbage rate,&rdquo; Fiest said, &ldquo;and their neighbor in North Bend approved a 101% increase, so I&rsquo;m not suggesting that&rsquo;s anywhere near reasonable for what we would expect for our citizens, but it&rsquo;s the pressures that utilities are feeling.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>If approved, Spokane&rsquo;s new rates would result in a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/japan-announces-485-billion-economic-package-to-counter-rising-inflation\/\" title=\"Japan Announces 5 Billion Economic Package to Counter Rising Inflation\">monthly utility bill<\/a> of roughly $153.41 for the average residential household in 2025 and $161.81 in 2026. Under the&nbsp;<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/my.spokanecity.org\/publicworks\/utility-billing\/rates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">current<\/a><\/strong>&nbsp;rates, that monthly bill would only reach $146.27.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>However, with residents typically using less water during the winter months, that bill will likely decrease. Feist presented data showing that under the proposed rates, the monthly bill during winter months would total around $139.50 for 2025 and $147.13 for 2026.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>That monthly invoice under the current rates for winter months results in a bill of $132.26 for the representative household. Notably, none of the data includes electricity, which the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/tennessee-republicans-threaten-to-withhold-millions-from-memphis-for-gun-control-measures-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Tennessee Republicans threaten to withhold millions from Memphis for gun control measures - Washington Examiner\">city doesn&#038;rsquo<\/a>;t provide. The cost would likely surpass this when tying that in, especially in the winter.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I noted that when Heather Rosentrater was named the head of Avista in the last week, that they mentioned how their rates are supposed to go up by the end of 2025,&rdquo; Feist said. &ldquo;Their three-year total represents a 37% increase for electricity alone.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Overall, if the city council approves the proposed rates, residential utility bills, without electricity, would increase by approximately $184 annually over two years, for a total of roughly $1897 in 2026. That&rsquo;s an average of about $15.38 more for each bill in 2026 compared to now, or a 10.77% increase.<\/p>\n<p>Feist said the upside is that Public Works is proposing that Spokane double its discounts for residents that use less water as well as for those with disabilities and senior citizens.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The current discount for low-consumption users is $5 monthly, while seniors and disabled individuals can receive a credit of up to $10. If the council approves the doubling, low-consumption users could receive $120 annually, with the latter receiving $240.<\/p>\n<p>Spokane&rsquo;s city council will vote on whether to adopt the proposed rates during an upcoming legislative meeting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1763999\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1763999\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Proposed utility rates in Spokane may lead to a rise in residential bills of over 10% by 2026 (The Center Square). Spokane&#8217;s current utility rates will end in 2024, and the new rates could result in an additional $180 cost for residents each year by 2026. These utility rates encompass water service, consumption charges, garbage collection, wastewater management, stormwater services, and capital expenses. If approved by the city council based on the proposal presented by Public Works Director Marlene Feist on Monday, these rates could increase more than 10% over two years. The proposal suggests a total increase of 4.88% for residential bills in 2025\u2014approximately $7.14 more per month compared to 2024\u2014and an additional rise of 5.47% in 2026, adding another $8.40 monthly compared to the previous year.<\/p>\n<p>Feist noted that neighboring areas have faced significant increases; for instance, Snoqualmie recently approved a staggering 42% hike in their garbage rate while North Bend saw a dramatic increase of over 100%. She emphasized that while Spokane&#8217;s proposed increases are not as extreme as those seen elsewhere, they reflect the pressures utilities are currently experiencing.<\/p>\n<p>If these new rates are enacted, the average monthly utility bill for residents would be about $153.41 in 2025 and rise to approximately $161.81 in 2026\u2014up from just $146.27 under current rates. However, since water usage typically decreases during winter months, bills during this period would likely drop to around $139.50 for both years under the proposed structure compared to a current average winter bill of about $132.26.<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s important to note that electricity costs are not included since it is not provided by the city; thus actual expenses may be higher when factoring electricity usage into winter bills.<\/p>\n<p>Feist also mentioned recent developments at Avista regarding anticipated electricity rate hikes expected by late-2025 which could amount to a total increase of around 37%. Overall projections indicate that if approved by city council members during an upcoming legislative meeting, residential utility costs (excluding electricity) could see an annual increase of roughly $184 over two years\u2014bringing total costs close to approximately $1,897 by mid-2026 or an average monthly hike of about $15.38 (a rise of roughly 10.77%).<\/p>\n<p>On a positive note regarding affordability measures being considered alongside these rate changes: Public Works is proposing doubling discounts available for low-water users as well as seniors and individuals with disabilities\u2014from currently offering low-consumption users a discount of just $5 per month and up to a maximum credit of only $10\u2014to potentially providing up to **$120** annually for low-consumption households and **$240** annually for seniors\/disabled individuals if passed into law<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2343318,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24014160623172-1-1024x683.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[41221,41220,32585,41219,32076],"class_list":["post-2343317","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-proposed-increase","tag-residential-bills","tag-spokane","tag-utility-rates","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/AP24014160623172-1-1024x683.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2343317","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2343317"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2343317\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2343318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2343317"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2343317"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2343317"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}