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5/28/2019 Member News

The HBA Votes with WES Advisory Committee to Maintain Existing Water SDC Rate


The HBA serves as a member of the Clackamas County Water Environment Services Advisory Committee (WESAC). In recent discussions, we urged WESAC to consider early SDC vesting, deferred collection, and complete credit transferability. After months of discussions with staff and amongst the members, the HBA voted with the majority of WESAC members to make several changes to WES sanitary sewer SDCs. First, WESAC recommended harmonizing the rates between the two different zones. Second, WESAC recommended maintaining the ’status quo’ cost recovery of $7,850 per Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU), defined as a single family detached home. This cost recovery is the current SDC in Zone 2, adjusted for inflation, and represents approximately 60% of the total justifiable rate.

The motion reflected a desire by committee members and WES staff to maintain development incentives as well as provide consistent revenue without inordinately impacting rate payers. In particular, the HBA wants to recognize the cities of Gladstone, Milwaukie, and West Linn for their role in advancing a stable SDC rate, which supports new development and housing affordability. These cities chose an alternative to the fully justified SDC based on their desires to avoid increasing the cost of new housing.

The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners will hear any proposed revisions and adopt a final approved budget, which will include SDC rates, later this summer. To learn more about how the HBA is involved with Clackamas County SDC discussions, contact Roseann Johnson at roseannj@hbapdx.org.

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