The West Richland City Council on Nov. 18 approved a set of master‑fee schedule amendments that raise several utility charges, citing recent state business & occupation (B&O) tax changes and interim adjustments while the city completes a comprehensive rate study.

Public Works Director Roscoe Slade explained the changes in a series of staff reports: irrigation charges were adjusted to recover rising costs and to build an emergency reserve (targeting roughly $100,000 over several years), and capital needs (including about $240,000 in irrigation capital work and a rolling drum screen for filter issues) were noted. "We need to invest in water main replacement or irrigation main replacement, pump motor replacement over the next 6 years," Slade said.

Water service charges include an interim increase intended to bridge until the city completes a full water rate model; Slade described a $1.32 monthly increase driven by a 2.8% CPI adjustment and the state's tax increase (about $0.25 of the monthly change). The single‑family 1‑inch meter base would rise from $38.15 to $39.47 per month under the interim adjustment.

Stormwater and sanitary sewer rates were also adjusted to reflect the state B&O tax pass‑throughs: stormwater rose by $0.05 per month (to $10.80) and the sewer residential base increased by $0.20 per month (to about $55.45). Councilmembers asked questions about timing, apartment connections, and past rate history; staff said the city last raised irrigation rates nearly four years ago.

Council approved Resolutions 47‑25 through 50‑25 (master fee schedule amendments) on voice votes after the staff presentations and brief public comment. The changes take effect on the dates listed in each resolution and will appear on customer bills as scheduled.