City keeps 2022 water rates steady and adopts updated emergency water and wastewater plans

The Washington City Council voted Feb. 7 to maintain current water rates for 2022 after staff reviewed 2021 water fund revenues and expenses and reported an ending cash balance of $1,273,014.27 plus a $40,000 certificate of deposit.

Council also approved scheduling payment of Water Improvement General Obligation Bonds, Series 2021, by ACH on March 25 each year. In separate motions, the council unanimously adopted updated Emergency Water Supply and Emergency Wastewater Plans.

City staff recommended no water rate increase for 2022 based on the fund review presented at the meeting. Council members recorded no questions that changed staff’s recommendation during the meeting record; the minutes do not list any proposed rate adjustments or a timeline for future rate reviews.

The emergency plans were adopted by motion (Herrs; second Pinnick) with unanimous council support. The minutes do not cite specific changes made to the plans during the meeting; they record only that the updated plans were presented and adopted.

Funding sources for ongoing water operations and whether the bond payments are covered from reserves or ongoing revenues were not detailed in the minutes.