FAQs • Fife, WA • CivicEngage

How are rate increases determined and adopted?

The City of Fife continually evaluates operating costs and future capital expenditure needs of each utility. In many cases, the capital facilities needs are based on comments from our customers about improvements they would like to see, especially on matters related to stormwater to address isolated flooding.

Based upon the identified needs and other information such as utility rates of other jurisdictions, potential rate adjustments are discussed with the city council, staff and the public. This process culminates in a public hearing on rates which is advertised in advance in our social media channels (Facebook and Twitter), E-newsletter and on our website.

Following the public hearing, a utility rate ordinance is passed based upon the information provided and citizen comments. All revenue from utility bills goes directly to support the operation and maintenance of that utility. It does not go to fund other city services or programs.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Fife Utilities

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1. What utilities are provided by the City of Fife?

Water, sewer and storm drainage.

2. What other utility companies provide services within Fife?

Puget Sound Energy - Natural Gas & Electricity: Call 1-888-225-5773 or visit https://www.pse.com/
Tacoma Public Utility – Electricity: Call 253-502-8600 or visit https://www.mytpu.org/
Murrey’s Disposal – Refuse & Recycling: Call 253-414-0345 or visit https://www.murreysdisposal.com/pierce-county

3. How do I begin utility service - can I do so online?: We do not have an online option to begin service. Please call 253-922-2489 to speak with an employee to initiate service.

4. Where can I pay my utility bill?

PAY YOUR BILL AT CITY HALL

Currently, City Hall is closed due to pandemic restrictions, but when City Hall reopens, customers can pay in person at 5411 23rd St. E. Fife WA 98424. City Hall hours, when pandemic restrictions are lifted, are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

PAY YOUR BILL VIA OUR DROP-BOX

For your convenience, a 24-hour utility drop box for utility payments is located in front of Fife City Hall at 5411 23rd St. E. Fife WA 98424.

PAY YOUR BILL BY PHONE

To make a payment or check your balance, call our automated phone system 253-922-2489, press 1 for utility billing, then 1 to manage your Utility account.

PAY YOUR BILL ONLINE

Register with your Fife account number at https://fife.merchanttransact.com/. Your account number is located on the top of your invoice. You will need to provide an email address and set up a password. Once logged into the system, you can pay your bill or schedule a payment.

5. Do I have to sign up for all City of Fife utilities or can I choose which ones?: You may be able to select which utilities you use, depending on specific criteria. Please contact the city at 253-922-2489, select Option 1 for utilities for further information.

6. I am a business with an irrigation account and I have not received a bill. Why?: Typically, irrigation accounts are billed in July and September for water usage in May, June, July and August. Depending on water usage during the dry season there may be billing in May and November. If there is no water usage you will not receive a bill.

7. Why do I have a charge for water during the time my house is vacant?: Customers are charged the flat rate for water, whether or not there is any usage on the property. You can request to have your water shut off if the property will be vacant, but that means you won’t be able to run water, flush the toilet, etc. This will reduce the water portion of the bill. There is a $50 reconnection fee to turn the water back on.

8. What should I do if I believe my meter reading on my bill is wrong?

Please contact the City of Fife Public Works Department at 253-922-9315.

9. What types of credit cards does the city accept?: Visa, Mastercard or pay by electronic check. These can be used with both our online and automated phone systems.

10. What does the consumption rate mean in gallons?: One CCF is equivalent to 748 gallons. To determine the number of gallons of water used during a billing period, simply multiply the number of CCFs (the number is shown on your bill under the usage column) by 748.

11. Why do I pay the same sewer charge as my neighbor when I have a one-bedroom home and they have a five-bedroom home?: The sewer charge is a flat rate for all residents. It is a shared cost across the city to have access to the sewer system.

12. Why is the sewer rate so high? And so much higher than the other parts of the bill? And so much higher than where I used to live?

Fife’s geography, and its sewer system is flatter than other surrounding cities, so we have to build, maintain and operate more pump stations per capita than surrounding cities. We pay Tacoma to process our sewage, so we are bound by the rates they charge us for that service. We also use the sewer charges to service and maintain our 13 sewer pump stations and to ensure we have enough funds set aside for any future maintenance and infrastructure needs.

One other factor that affects the sewer rates is the need to update the Sewer Comprehensive Plan. It is through the Sewer Comprehensive Plan that the rate impacts of major capital repairs to the sewer system are calculated.

13. What time frame does my bill cover?: We bill the first of every odd month for the previous two months. For example, we bill the first of January for usage in November and December.

14. What day is auto-pay pulled from my account? The bill was due today but hasn’t been withdrawn, is all okay?: We pull auto-pay on the first business day after the due date to ensure all payments made on time are processed before auto-pay. This prevents duplicate payments for residents who are enrolled in auto-pay, but choose to mail in a check.

15. I signed up for auto-pay, however my bill does not reflect that I am on auto-pay. Can you make sure it is set up correctly?: Our statements do not indicate if they are set up with auto-pay status. You may login online to check if you are signed up for auto-pay or you may call us and we can verify.

16. I signed up for auto-pay, but funds have never been drawn from my account?: We pull auto-pay from all enrolled residents the first business day after the bill is due. It will appear like you are paying the bill after the due date. If you’d like to have your payment auto-drawn, you’ll need to wait for the auto-pay draw date. We do not draw funds from accounts with a $0 balance.

17. The name on my account is spelled incorrectly (i.e., spelled wrong, first and last name flipped, etc.). How do I get this corrected?: Call for assistance at 253-922-2489 or email us at finance@cityoffife.org.

18. What day is water shutoff done?: Water shutoffs are done towards the end of each even month, a few weeks after the bill’s due date. Customers can expect a water-shutoff notice when shutoffs are nearing. A red tag will be left at your door a day or two before the actual water cut-off date.

19. What day is a late fee applied? Why is the late fee so much? Is there a late fee grace period?: By state order, late fees for missed bills are on pause at least through April 30, 2021 (and could be extended. Check the state’s website for updates). Late fees are applied approximately nine days after the due date. Late fees are $10, or 10 percent per utility service, whichever is greater - $30 minimum if you have water, sewer and storm drainage. All late fees are approved in the Fife Municipal Code by the Fife City Council.

20. I have never paid my bill late – can I have the fee waived?: Late fees may be waived one time in the history of the account. To determine if the fee can be waived, contact 253-922-2489 and select Option 1.

21. What’s the least amount I can pay to get my water turned back on?: The full amount due, plus a $50 water turn-on charge.

22. Can you send me a copy of my bill?: Yes, please call the city at 253-922-2489, select Option 1 for utilities. Or, you may send a request via email to finance@cityoffife.org

23. Can you send me a history of my account?: Yes, please call the city at 253-922-2489 and select Option 1. Or, you may send a request via email to finance@cityoffife.org.

24. I am a new resident in Fife. What can I expect my bill to be?: On average, our typical single-family residential bi-monthly bill (every two months) is $350.92 for water, sewer and storm drainage in 2023. Your water bill is calculated based on your household’s water usage. Your sewer and storm drainage are fixed fees. If you call us, we can look up the billing history of your property to help you estimate your bill. Please call us at 253-922-2489 and select Option 1.

25. I accidentally double paid my bill. Can you reverse the transaction?: The city is not able to reverse your transaction. However, you may request a refund check by calling 253-922-2489 and selecting Option 1 for utilities. Or, you may send a request via email to finance@cityoffife.org.

26. Can I set my bill up so I am charged monthly rather than bi-monthly?: The city bills on a bi-monthly basis and auto-pay is collected at that time. We are not able to change the billing cycle to a monthly basis. However, if you would like to make a payment on a monthly basis, you are welcome to send a half payment before you receive your bill. When the city collects auto-pay, it will pull whatever amount is still owed on your account. You are welcome to add a credit of any amount to your bill at any time with any of our payment methods.

27. Can I get charges removed from my account if I had a water leak?: It depends on the circumstances. Contact the Public Works Department at 253-922-9315 to have the leak inspected. Water leaks that are not caused by the city cannot be written off as this would be a gift of public funds. In some instances, billing arrangements may be made to avoid shut offs and late fees. Please contact 253-922-2489 and select Option 1.

28. I am experiencing a water leak. Is there someone at the city who I can call?: Yes, please contact the Public Works Department at 253-922-9315 for both emergency and non-emergency assistance.

29. I do not live within the City of Fife, but I am a utility customer. Where can I find information regarding utility rates for those who live outside the city limits?

You can find more information in our Fife Municipal Code , section 13.08.540.

From our city code:

SERVICE OUTSIDE CITY – RATES AND CHARGES

Sewer service rates, fees, connection charges, permit fees and inspection fees for connections outside the corporate limits of the city shall be at the same rates, fees and charges as within the corporate limits of the city, plus a 50 percent surcharge, except when sewer service is provided by the City of Fife to property within another city pursuant to an interlocal agreement (ILA); then the sewer service rates, fees, connection charges, permit fees and inspection fees may be set in accordance with the terms of the interlocal agreement. Check with the city in which you reside to determine if your utility falls under an interlocal agreement.

30. I live in the City of Edgewood and receive sewer services through the City of Fife. Who is my water company?: For more information, please contact the City of Edgewood at 253-952-3299. Local utility providers in that area include the Lakehaven Utility District, Mt. View Edgewood Water Company and Milton Water.

31. Why is my sewer a flat rate and my water a varying rate?

The sewer rate is a flat rate charge to all customers while water varies with usage.

Single family sewer flows are not metered, as solids would clog any meters. Businesses are required to separately meter their irrigation systems, so that sewer flows can be charged based on domestic water use. Many homeowners do not have separately-metered irrigation systems and irrigate their lawns and gardens using hose bibs fed by their domestic water lines. If domestic water usage was used as the basis for sewer charges, such homeowners would be charged sewer rates for water sprayed onto their roses, and that would not be fair. In recognition of the impracticality of metering sewer use, residential sewer customers are charged a uniform flat rate.

32. What can I do to reduce my utility bill?: The City of Fife encourages its customers to monitor and reduce water usage. Practicing water conservation is the only way to reduce your water bill. The water flat rate cannot be further reduced. Here are resources to help you reduce water usage. Read this water conservation page at the Washington State Department of Ecology. There are also handy water conservation tips in our annual consumer confidence report, which is published every summer. You can read the most recent report here.

33. Why am I seeing a rate increase?

The City of Fife purchases water and sewer-treatment services from the City of Tacoma. Rate increases are necessary to ensure that the city keeps pace with the costs charged by Tacoma. The City of Tacoma sets its rate at the end of every November. We then use that rate information from the City of Tacoma when we calculate our annual utility rates.

34. Why are the new utility rates announced so late in the year?: The City of Fife purchases water and sewer-treatment services from the City of Tacoma. Rate increases are necessary to ensure that the city keeps pace with the costs charged by Tacoma. The City of Tacoma sets its rate at the end of every November. We then use that rate information from the City of Tacoma when we calculate our annual utility rates. After receiving the City of Tacoma rate details, our finance employees calculate the new rate for Fife customers and then staff members present the information for Fife City Council approval. After those steps are complete, rate information is immediately shared with the public. You can find that rate information on this web page.

35. Why is a rate increase needed?: The City of Fife buys nearly all its drinking water from Tacoma Public Utilities and pays Tacoma Environmental Services for the treatment of nearly all its wastewater. That means that the City of Tacoma has substantial control over the cost of our water and sewer services.

36. Why do sanitary sewer rates increase?: The increase in sewer rates addresses sewer costs charged to the City of Fife by the City of Tacoma, which treats the City of Fife’s sewage at its Portland Avenue Treatment Plant. These charges from the City of Tacoma have been increasing annually since 2010 and an increase is necessary to “catch up” to Tacoma’s charges to Fife. To keep pace with Tacoma’s future utility charge increase to Fife, the city council has indexed annual sewer rate increases starting Jan. 1 and on the first day of January in each successive year thereafter. All rates shall be increased from the previous year based upon Tacoma’s treatment cost increase and inflation. From 2022 to 2023, City of Fife sewer rates increased by approximately $16.66 per bimonthly (two- month) period for a typical single-family residence.

37. Why do water rates increase?: The City of Fife purchases its water from the City of Tacoma. The rate increase addresses the costs of purchasing water from the City of Tacoma and also costs associated with providing ongoing system improvements. From 2020 to 2021, City of Fife water rates decreased by approximately ($4.68) per bi-monthly (two- month) period for a typical single-family residence.

38. What is the storm water (drainage) increase?

From 2020 to 2021, City of Fife storm drainage rates increased by approximately $3.52 per bi-monthly (two- month) period for a typical single-family residence. The exact amount of the increase depends upon the size of the property and the amount of impervious surface. The increase in storm drainage rates is associated with more stringent federal standards for stormwater management (under the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program), as well as a need to finance a series of drainage improvements throughout Fife to address localized flooding.

39. How are rate increases determined and adopted?

40. Will there be utility rate increases in the future and, if so, what will they be?

As mentioned above, utility rates have been indexed to provide for future rate increases to address anticipated needs for the next few years. These increases are as follows:

Sewer and water rates have been indexed to increase from the previous year based upon Tacoma’s treatment cost increase and inflation, starting January 1 and each successive year thereafter.

Storm drainage rates have been indexed to increase annually. Click here for a copy of the Fife Municipal Code. The rate is expected to increase from the previous year based upon inflation, starting January 1 of each year.