electlarey.org
Larey McLaren for Alderwood Water District
Alderwood Water Commissioner, 1999 to 2001; 2005 to present
Commissioner, Pos. 3 (non-partisan)
Contact: info [a*t] electlarey [d0t] com
(425) 273-6604
Please register to vote for the November 8th election.
- CAPR rates Larey OUTSTANDING, Oct 14, 2011
Latest: Kudos from a savvy ratepayer! ; Concerned about Alderwood Water District Commissioner campaign issues? Read Clarity of Purpose, open letter to ratepayers, Oct 22, 2011 ; Weekly Herald statement, Sept. 23, 2011
Rate Realities
(brief summary – read extended Rate Realities for more detail)
GFC’s (General Facilities Charges)
Connection charges
Separate from rates
Paid by developer/builder
U-LID’s (Utility Local Improvement District)
Water Rates
Two components …
Base rate
Customer share of facilities maintenance
Consumption charge = actual water usage
Conservation – winter rate vs. summer rates
Purchased water is major expense
Favorable 50 year contract with Everett …
Provides stability
Enabled 2011/12 rate increase reduction from 14% to 5%
Sewer Rates
30% of operating budget
THE major expense component
Driven by flat fees from …
Everett
King County
History
Incorporated in 1931
Largest special-purpose water & sewer district in Washington state …
Over 60 square miles
1000+ miles of pipe
Water pump stations
Sewer lift stations
Nine water storage facilities
Secondary wastewater treatment plant at Picnic Point
Operating budget = $60M
Capital budget > $150M
Finite asset service life – require replacement/refurbishment
Deferral policy in 1980’s & -90’s – “Kicked the can down the
road”, creating …
Artificially low rates
Increased cost when delayed projects are undertaken
Playing ‘catch-up’ takes extra time and extra resources
Brightwater
New mega secondary sewage treatment facility …
Operated by King County
Rates set by King County and implemented contractually
Located in Snohomish County
No voter approval, in Snohomish County
Seminal decisions made in 1960’s
(END brief summary – read extended Rate Realities for more detail)
Learn more about Larey’s ideas at Management philosophy.
