Winston Council continues pondering utility fees

WINSTON — The City Council is still ironing out the details for two fees that could potentially tack a total of $3 onto Winston residents’ sewer bills.

The panel decided to hold off on introducing two separate ordinances Monday to establish a transportation utility fee and a storm drain utility fee.

Following a presentation by Titus Tomlinson, a contracted planner who is developing the two ordinances, the City Council was left with a few questions concerning who, if anyone, might be exempt from paying the monthly fees of $1.50 each.

The transportation utility fee would fund the city’s Dial-a-Ride service, Umpqua Transit and street maintenance.

The storm drain utility fee would pay for a storm drain master plan and maintenance of the city’s storm drain infrastructure.

Winston Public Works Superintendent Jennifer Sikes said the city has never been mapped, making it difficult for her crew to determine the placement of lines, culverts, manholes and other flood control structures.

Sikes estimated the storm drain master plan would cost the city anywhere from $30,000 to $80,000.

The transportation utility fee would replace the $98,000 timber safety net payment the city had traditionally received each year.

Tomlinson said the two fees would each generate $50,000 to $70,000 the first year. He said according to the Oregon Planners’ Journal, 50 other cities in Oregon have implemented similar fees.

“A dollar fifty is on the lower end,” said Tomlinson.

Based on a 2004 study, he said there was a $5 storm water fee in Corvallis and a $2.90 fee in Cottage Grove.

The Winston City Council held a previous workshop in September to discuss a transportation utility fee of $4, but with feedback from the community, it was deemed too high of a charge.

Currently, the proposed ordinances would require both residential and commercial sewer users to pay the monthly fees. The storm drain utility fee would raise 20 cents every March until 2013.

Once established, the utility fees will remain intact long term, reserving the right to the City Council to change the fees based upon revised estimates of cost and other relevant factors.

“We’re looking at both as being a 20-plus year plan,” said Winston Mayor Rex Stevens.

The discussion of establishing the ordinances was tabled until the next City Council meeting on Dec. 1.



• You can reach reporter Cara Pallone at 957-4208 or by e-mail at cpallone@nrtoday.com.