Poll on Water Rates: One-time Increase or Gradual Rate Hikes?

We broke the news Wednesday night that the for Kent residents and property owners on city water and sewer systems to pay for enormous utility operational and maintenance costs.

And Kent City Council instead of a big, one-time rate hike to cover those costs.

The issue still has about four weeks to go until council has a final vote on the increases, which would take effect in January. Until then, they plan to try and get the word out to residents about why city administrators say the increases are necessary.

The gradual increases would start in 2012 with an 8.5 percent annual hike for the next four years. Rates will level off in 2016, but they will still increase annually by 3 percent through 2017 and beyond.

Under a gradual rate increase, starting with the first increase in January 2012 the minimum user will see their monthly bill increase by $1.91. The average user will see their bill increase by $5.90 over their 2011 bill.

If the city implemented a one-time increase to cover its projected $211 million in costs, the minimum user's bill would jump by almost $6 a month and the average user's bill would increase by almost $18 per month.

So, what do you think?