Share Your Input On Hillsboro's Proposed 2022 Drinking Water Rates

Press release from the City of Hillsboro:

September 1, 2021

The City of Hillsboro Water Department carefully manages drinking water rates and strives to ensure equity and affordability for all customers. Water rates are designed so all customers pay their fair share based on how they use Hillsboro’s water system and how much water they use.

There is no higher priority for the Hillsboro Water Department than protecting the public health. While the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on our community, the Water Department has continued to provide clean and safe water on demand to our valued customers.

Proposed 2022 Water Rate Adjustments

The Hillsboro Water Department is proposing the following water rate increases for calendar year 2022:

• 8.8% (or about $3.42 per month to the water portion of the utility bill only) for Single-Family Residential customers *
• 10.5% for Multi-Family, Public Entities, Commercial, and Nonprofit customers
• 14.9% for Irrigation customers (as measured by a separate water meter)

* If the proposed rate adjustment is approved, the drinking water portion of the utility bill for a typical residential customer using approximately 6,000 gallons of water per month would increase on Jan. 1, 2022, by $3.42, from $39.08 to $42.50, for example.

The actual percentage adjustment on the water portion of a customer’s City of Hillsboro utility bill may vary based on meter size and individual usage patterns.

The proposed 2022 water rates adjustments will continue to allow the Water Department to make the investments in infrastructure needed to keep the water supply safe, and:

• Build an additional water supply source for Hillsboro
• Replace aging water infrastructure in our service area
• Improve our current water’s system seismic reliability

How to Share Input on Proposed Rates

The City of Hillsboro, Water Department, and the City of Hillsboro Utilities Commission greatly value customer involvement and input.

During the 30-day official public input period from Sept. 1 to 30, 2021, customers are invited to provide feedback on the proposed 2022 water rate adjustments in a variety of ways:

• Online Form
• Phone: 503-615-6702
• Email the Water Department
• In-Person or Mail: 150 East Main Street, Third Floor, Hillsboro, OR 97123
• Social Media
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
• Meetings:
  • Sept. 14, 2021, Utilities Commission Monthly Meeting (virtual)
  • Sept. 14, 2021, Community Conversation about Water Rates (virtual)
  • Oct. 4, 2021, Public Hearing

Next Steps

The City of Hillsboro Utilities Commission – responsible for setting rates for the use and consumption of water – will review public comment throughout the process, and vote on the proposed 2022 water rates at their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

If approved, any water rate adjustment will take effect to the water portion of the utility bill only on Jan. 1, 2022.

Utility Assistance

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact our community, the City of Hillsboro is committed to helping customers through this crisis. If you are having trouble paying your utility bill, 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 the Water Department
• Access the dedicated webpage
• Visit or send mail to:
  150 East Main Street, Hillsboro, Oregon 97123