City Council Tackles Water Billing Referendum, Launches Comprehensive Plan Committee, Emphasizes Public Engagement

Quarterly Rate Study Discussion

The City Council of Manzanita, Oregon, convened for a work session focusing on two main agenda items, the first of which was the continuation of discussions on the quarterly rate study. This discussion is a follow-up to a previous session that lasted nearly two hours. The primary issue at hand is the billing cycle for water services, which is set to be determined by a ballot measure, 29-179, in the upcoming November election. The measure asks whether the city should read water meters and bill for water service on a monthly basis rather than quarterly.

Mayor Kathryn Stock reiterated the importance of the upcoming vote, explaining that if the referendum passes, the city will maintain its current monthly billing system. However, if it fails, the city will revert to a quarterly billing cycle. The council discussed two options provided by consultants regarding the rate structure. Option one would result in the city recovering 91% of the budget, while option two, which involves a slight increase in the cost of six units, would allow the city to meet 95% of its budget.

Councilor Tom Campbell raised concerns about whether the city would need to treat the matter as an emergency if the referendum fails. Mayor Stock assured that the necessary resolutions or ordinances would be prepared in advance to ensure a smooth transition, should the billing cycle change. Councilor Jerry Spegman emphasized the importance of maintaining the 95% budget target to ensure the water system's financial health and avoid past financial mismanagement.