What We’re Doing
As we shared in the June 2022 Sandy Source newsletter, Sandy is making investments in our infrastructure for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and SandyNet, to ensure that current residents and future generations can continue to enjoy the quality of life we've come to appreciate in our town.
Why We’re Doing It
These infrastructure projects are long overdue. Many of our critical systems have gone without reinvestment for many years, even decades, and are in need of substantial improvement. In addition, some of the repairs and enhancements we’re working on are being mandated by state and federal environmental regulators. Emergency preparedness is also crucial – we need to make our system more resilient to ensure we can provide drinking water in the event of a major wildfire or other natural disaster.
What is the Impact on Rates?
While reinvestment in our infrastructure is necessary, it is also expensive. After months of public communications and a public hearing on June 21st, we raised customer rates to ensure our utilities remain financially solvent. In the very near future we'll also be proposing increases in system development charges paid by new construction to ensure development is paying its fair share.
For further details, you can review the full staff report from the June 21, 2022 City Council meeting.
We’re Keeping Rates as Low as Possible
The City is proactively pursuing all opportunities for external funding and financing to keep rates as low as possible for customers. We secured $14.7 million in grants and $16.5 million in low interest loans for the wastewater system, and we recently restructured the program for drinking water improvements to lower the long term cost of the project by over $50 million. We’ve also established a Customer Assistance Program for lower income residents. Information is available here.
After these increases, bills for Sandy utility customers still remain consistent with other communities in Clackamas County (bills shown below do not include internet service):
There are Many Ways You Can Reduce Your Water Consumption
Reducing water consumption conserves a vital resource and can lower your monthly bill dramatically. Things like leaky toilets, old appliances, long showers, and inefficient sprinklers all use surprising amounts of water. Here are 10 tips for lowering consumption indoors; and 10 more tips for lowering consumption outdoors.
We Welcome Your Feedback
We understand Sandy residents may have concerns to share about these issues, and we want to hear your input. The best place to learn about everything the City is doing and to share your input, thoughts, ideas, and concerns, is on Sandy Speaks - our online community engagement platform.
We also invite you to join us during City Council meetings on the first and third Monday of each month at City Hall (39250 Pioneer Blvd), or online via Zoom. Each meeting includes a public comment period when anyone can share their thoughts with the Council directly. Meeting details can also be found online on our calendar.
Finally, if you have questions about your bill, please feel free to contact us at 503-668-7449.
Original source can be found here.
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