Portland Water Bureau reaches settlement with ratepayers

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – The city of Portland has reached a proposed $10 million settlement with water and sewer ratepayers who questioned spending ratepayer money on non-water-related programs.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports that the Portland Water Bureau and an attorney for ratepayers on Friday announced the proposed settlement.

The Portland City Council will consider approving the settlement on Wednesday.

Ratepayers in 2001 sued the city in Multnomah County Circuit Court, contending the city violated its charter by spending ratepayer money on initiatives not related to providing water and sewer services.

Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler in a statement applauded the two sides for ending the dispute and arriving at what he called a fair settlement.

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Information from: The Oregonian/OregonLive, http://www.oregonlive.com