Cashmere Council Makes Decision on Water Rate Increase

Monday evening, Cashmere City Council took the first step toward establishing the official water rate increase by settling on the decision of a 4% increase per year for the next five years. The council deliberated over the increase for a large portion of the meeting, as they weighed options and eye balled the numbers and figures.

"A decision like that is a little bit complicated on a standpoint of trying to balance two different equations. One, in the interest of the rate payer and the second, the financial stability of the water department," said Mayor Jim Fletcher.

The council volleyed several varieties of increase options, but overall the layered decision came down to the 4% option as serving the best interest of all parties involved.

"Why I think it was a good decision was that they really did try to express and consider alternatives of what could be done and give direction to staff," said Fletcher. "And came back to say, well really this rate might be greater than what we like personally, is the one that's more fiscally responsible for the welfare of the city water department for the long haul."

The decision is only the first move in that direction, an ordinance will have to be adopted before it is official.

"We always try to do these rates in advance for budget purposes, but they will not take effect its adopted by ordinance. Typically that has an effective date of the first of the year," said Fletcher.