Hillsboro Water Department Seeking Citizens For New Advisory Panel

Water took up a lot of discussions last year in Hillsboro, Oregon, because rates keep going up! Through the work of several local activists, it was disclosed that rates have increased by over 100% in just the past few years. The amount of water used by industry was also revealed. The fact that Industry, mainly Intel, uses 1/2 of all our water daily was a reality check. With more industries coming and water getting harder to source and manage, this is the time to get involved.

Water from the Willamette River will soon be piped from Wilsonville to Hillsboro in a 6-foot pipe to supply big users like Intel and residential users too.

The City of Hillsboro is setting up the Hillsboro Drinking Water Community Advisory Panel. This is very important, and we encourage all of you to apply if water rates and other water policies are essential to you! They really should be, and we hope you apply.

Here is the Info: See it here or read below

Are you interested in collaborating and providing feedback from a community perspective to the City of Hillsboro Water Department Director on how single-family and multi-family residential drinking water rates are structured and the customer affordability programs?

Apply to join the Hillsboro Drinking Water Community Advisory Panel (CAP)!

CAP recommendations will be provided to the Hillsboro Water Director for consideration, shared with the City of Hillsboro Utilities Commission, city staff, and community, used to shape future water rate outreach and engagement, and integrated into the current cost-of-service drinking water rate study.

Qualifications

Eight to 12 members will be selected through the application process to comprise the CAP. Minimum qualifications for members include:

18 years or older (except for the appointed youth member),
Willing to commit attendance at five meetings, and
Live within Hillsboro Water’s service area(External link).

Meeting Details

The CAP will meet once a month from January to April 2024, with a fifth meeting in May 2024, if needed. The hybrid meetings will be virtual (Zoom teleconference) and in-person at the Hillsboro Civic Center Conference Room 113, located at 150 E Main Street, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123.

Members needing to utilize the onsite childcare and/or supervised play will be able to do so with advanced notice. Interpretation will be provided to meet the language needs of all participants. Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities are available with advance notice. CAP members will be provided a cash stipend for their participation.