In a significant move aimed at creating a fairer utility billing system, the Port Angeles City Council has approved a new ordinance that requires vacant residential and commercial properties to pay base utility rate fees. This decision addresses the previous exemption that allowed these properties to evade fees, which ultimately placed a heavier financial burden on active utility customers. With the implementation of this ordinance, the city aims to ensure that the cost of maintaining essential utility services is equitably distributed among all property owners. Here’s everything you need to know about this important change and how it will affect property owners in Port Angeles.

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Key Takeaways

• The Port Angeles City Council has approved new base rate utility fees for vacant properties.
• The new fee structure aims to fairly distribute utility costs among all customers, eliminating previous exemptions for vacant properties.
• Implementation will occur in two phases, starting with properties that have voluntarily disconnected from utilities by December 30,
  2024.

Overview of New Utility Rate Fees

In a significant move to enhance the fairness of utility fee structures, the Port Angeles City Council has recently approved an ordinance introducing base utility rate fees targeting vacant residential and commercial properties. This policy aims to create a more equitable distribution of the costs associated with the maintenance and operation of essential utility services, ensuring that active customers no longer bear the financial burden for services utilized by vacant properties. Previously exempt from such fees, these vacant properties will now incur the minimum base rates for each utility, regardless of whether they are being used or not.

The implementation of this ordinance will occur in two distinct phases. Phase One, set to commence on December 30, 2024, will address properties that have voluntarily disconnected from utility services – a category that includes seasonal residences and businesses. This phase will likely impact less than 2% of the city’s utility customers. Following this, Phase Two will concentrate on properties that remain unconnected yet fall within the service area, which includes undeveloped land. This phase necessitates a thorough investigation of the ownership of these vacant parcels before the standard base rates are implemented, with further details provided post-review.

The Port Angeles City Council’s initiative is not only aimed at generating increased revenue for utility funds but also ensuring that operational costs are equitably shared among all customers, paving the way for a sustainable utility service that serves the needs of all community members.

Details of Implementation Phases

The introduction of the new ordinance by the Port Angeles City Council marks a pivotal moment in public utility management. By requiring utility base rate fees for vacant properties, the Council is taking steps to rectify a long-standing imbalance in the utility fee structure. Previously, active utility customers disproportionately shouldered the costs associated with maintaining essential services, as vacant properties were not contributing to these expenses. This change aims not only to increase revenue but also to foster a sense of shared responsibility among property owners. As the two phases of implementation roll out, property owners and residents alike will need to stay informed about the changes to understand their obligations and how they contribute to the broader ecosystem of utility management. The Council’s initiative emphasizes a proactive approach to governance, ensuring that all residents and businesses within Port Angeles share in the financial responsibilities tied to their community’s utilities.

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