Gig Harbor City Council Approves Waivers Of Utility Base Rates

Press release from the City of Gig Harbor:

April 14, 2020

The COVID-19 outbreak and associated mandated limitations on individuals’ ability to work and businesses’ ability to operate have created serious economic impacts on city residents and businesses. To assist, the City Council passed an ordinance that removes the base rate from all utility bills for the months of March-April or April-May, depending on each customer’s billing cycle. This excludes governmental accounts.

The City’s prudent management of the Water-Sewer utility has resulted in the City’s high AA+ bond rating which in turn resulted in lower borrowing costs putting the City is in the position to offer some short-term rate relief to customers.

Base rates are identified in GHMC Chapter 13.04 for water service and GHMC Chapter 13.32 for sewer service. Base rates for single-family residences start at $20.22 a month for water and $40.25 a month for sewer. The waiver will cover two full months for all residential and business customers.

This press release was produced by the City of Gig Harbor. The views expressed here are the author’s own.