City's first legislation in 2018 was not needed

In my last utility bill, I received a new notice of my/our garbage rate change — set for April 1st, 2018. The city did not advertise, nor include the notice, for indigent (low-income) discounts and that will impact on them too. Although we only have 32 low-income citizens, I’m certain that they count their pennies. Be it the mayor or the council quorum, adding more costs to those in need was an unnecessary demonstration of ignorance by targeting the indigent, the elderly, and the infirm. Has anyone really calculated this (in)significant impact?

Relating to cities, Washington State law permits broad flexibility in setting user fees — otherwise water, electric, sewer, garbage rates. Most agencies imbed policies that guide the procedures and the applicable determinations. That “flexibility” still has its limitation(s). According to Washington State statute: “rate charged must be uniform” and “no rate shall be charged that is less than the cost of the water.” That too, other certain statutes require and permit to motivate conservation and to encourage mitigation environmental goals. Rate policy is a mix of science, social, and art … [R]ate-study determinations require education and experience, and the mayor or the council is clearly not qualified. A comprehensive rate study, replete with open public hearings — before litigation steps in to resolve them!

As another and related matter, the city still violates the statute as to how the city charges (and in amounts) in West Coulee Dam vs. in East Coulee Dam. Although there are pragmatic resolutions, the town council has refused to attend this fiscal fairness matter, the conservation rule(s), as well as the west-side health risks.

In the first legislative action in 2018, Coulee Dam promptly increased some utility fees and charges. One that was not needed is the garbage fees and the indigent (low-income) policy. The town’s solid waste fund had grown significant reserves, which, by the way, are limited by their use — you can’t use it for parks, can’t use it for police, and can’t use it for sidewalks, etc. In late 2017, the city actually reduced the general residential garbage and lowered the utilities indigent (low-income) use-fees. The new administration and council promptly did quite the opposite — increased all garbage fees and increased all utility indigent fees!

As to garbage rates, a math (and policy) lesson might be helpful: 335 households use the 65-gallon cart, at $27.35 per month ($.42/gallon). A few (8-10) households use the 35-gallon ($.64/gallon) and mini-can containers. When you consider the unit cost, the small containers already pay a premium at 38 percent. AND, in April, the responsible and environmental household will be sanctioned by 72 percent more per unit!

Put aside the empty minds, private (serial meetings), and spend the public arguments after there are honest and open deliberations!

F. Gregory Wilder