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The Tualatin Valley Water District and the City of Hillsboro are building the Willamette Water Supply System, a project that will help ensure adequate water supply for much of Washington County for the coming decades. In order to complete the project, the Hillsboro Utility Commission voted to approve a Water System Development Charge (SDC) increase. Building permit applications submitted in Hillsboro by the close of business Friday, March 29, 2019 will be subject to the current 2018 charges, provided fees are paid and the building permit is picked up on or before Monday, September 30, 2019. The Hillsboro increase will accompany ratepayer increases, ensuring that both current and future residents pay their fair share in the project. Importantly, when voting to increase fees, the Commission expressed interest in HBA’s recommendation to collect fees prior to the issuance of certificate of occupancy rather than at the issuance of a building permit. HBA will continue to meet with City staff to further explore this idea. Additionally, the City of Wilsonville is considering revisions to its Water SDC methodology, and increasing rates 25%. Following HBA’s advocacy at a recent City Council meeting, the Mayor and Council postponed revisions in order to review the methodology in further detail with staff, expressing concerns that the City would unfairly subsidize infrastructure for other jurisdictions. The Council will consider the methodology again this Thursday. To support HBA’s efforts to moderate the fee increase, contact Government Affairs Manager James Adkins jamesa@hbapdx.org. Next Article