If you have seen your water bill lately and wondered why the rates seem to be climbing so much, you are not alone. The City Council had a work session recently and heard from the water department about massive inflation and other forces pushing Hillsboro’s water rates up. Tonight the Water Committee will hear public testimony about the 2023 and 2024 rate increases, which are already slated to be up to 21% higher. If passed, these rates will push our water rates well over a 100% increase for the last 10 years. As Industry demands more and more water, Hillsboro residential users are being asked to shoulder a fair amount of that burden. Yes, we see increases in residential usage, but the pressure is really coming on strong from Intel and other industrial users.
We find ourselves in a situation where 63% of all Hillsboro water today is being used by Industry and Commercial user and just 37% by Residential users based on information supplied to us by the Water Department. Some residents have been cut off this year. Hillsboro does not have a rate structure to protect those at the lowest end of the income range. Many cities have such rate structures to ensure an essential service like public water is not denied to children and the elderly, let alone those more able-bodied.
Tonight is in person and virtual – we recommend that you come out. It should provide serious Civics lessons to those in attendance.
From the City of Hillsboro Calendar
Water Rate Public Hearing
- Date:10/03/2022 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
- Location:Hybrid (Virtual & In-Person)
In-Person
- Civic Center, 150 East Main Street, Room 113, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123
Virtual (Zoom Meeting)
- https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87634017179?pwd=eGZ4R05mYlVYT09DcnF3azFXbmFJQT09
- Meeting ID: 876 3401 7179
- Passcode: 654980
- Dial by your location
- +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
- Meeting ID: 876 3401 7179
- Passcode: 654980
Customers are invited to join the City of Hillsboro Utilities Commission at a water rate public hearing and provide input on the proposed water rate increases for calendar year 2023 and calendar year 2024.
The hearing will be held both in person and virtually and include a presentation in English about the proposed water rates.
Translation
Spanish translation services will be available.
Materials
Meeting materials will be posted online before the public hearing.
Public Comment
Comments at the hearing are limited to three minutes.
Speaking In Person
Please fill out a yellow card on the table in the back of the room and give it to the Commission Recorder. If you have a written statement for the Commission, please have four (4) copies available and give them to the Commission Recorder who will distribute them to the Commission.
Speaking Virtually
Register to speak by providing your name and phone number, or Zoom name, to Hillsboro Water Department’s Office before 12 pm the day of the meeting. Email Hillsboro Water or call 503-615-6702. Members of the public will not be able to share their screen or turn their camera on during the meeting. Presentation materials should be submitted as written testimony.
Additional Ways to Share Input on Proposed Rates
During the month of September, community members were invited to provide input on the proposed water rates by phone, email, and mail, on an online survey and social media, in-person, and at two hybrid (virtual and in-person) meetings.
Next Steps
The City of Hillsboro Utilities Commission – responsible for setting water rates – will review public comment throughout the process, and vote on the proposed 2023 and 2024 water rates at their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meeting in person or virtually.
If approved, any water rate adjustment will take effect on Jan. 1, 2023, and on Jan. 1, 2024.
Utility Assistance
Residents facing financial hardship can stay connected to City utility services through the City Utility Bill Assistance program. Visit the City’s Utility Assistance webpage or call 503-681-6163 to see if you qualify for a flexible payment plan or bill relief options.
Questions?
- Call 503-615-6702
- Email Hillsboro Water
- Access the dedicated webpage
- Visit or send mail to:
150 East Main Street, Third Floor, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123
