Bend looking at adjusting water, sewer rates

Bend residents are invited an upcoming open house at City Hall to use an online calculator and discover how proposed water and sewer rate structures would affect your utility bill.

The city of Bend is in the process of developing new policies around its water and sewer rate structures to ensure consistent service, protect natural resources and provide financial stability to operate and maintain its utility systems.

The city wants input from the community on its new rate structure proposals, and is holding public open houses on Thursday, November 13, in Council Chambers at City Hall, 710 NW Wall Street, Bend. The public is invited to drop in during these times:

8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Noon to 2 p.m.
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

These community open houses will allow the public to review the potential impacts of the proposed water and sewer rate structures on their own personal bills.

Visitors should bring their existing utility bill and the city will provide an electronic rate calculator to demonstrate how their bills could change under a new rate structure. City staff will be available to find account information for those who cannot bring their utility bills.

Staff will answer questions and collect feedback on the proposed rate structure changes. Feedback from the open houses will be presented to the Bend City Council at their meeting on December 3, when they are expected to consider final rate structure recommendations for water and sewer.

For those unable to attend the open house, the calculator will be available online after the open houses at www.bendoregon.gov/utilityrates.