2023 Rate Increases
At the March 29, 2023 Special Board of Alderman meeting, the Board voted to increase trash, water and electric rates to keep up with rising costs. These increases are essential in order to pay for our trash service, pay our debt payments for the water and wastewater improvement bonds, and pay for increasing costs for materials. Without these increases essential services would suffer, maintenance on infrastructure could not be maintained, and bond payments would not be paid. We understand and take very seriously the current economic impact on every household in Centralia. The Board of Aldermen and City Administration want to assure our residents that a lot of discussion and thought went into these rate increases. The goal was to keep the increases as low as possible while still providing excellent service to you, our citizens.
Solid Waste Rate Increase:
Residential and Senior solid waste rates will remain unchanged in 2023. Commercial trash, dumpster rentals, and miscellaneous trash rates will see a 20% rate increase.
Centralia solid waste customers will see the rate increase on the bill that they receive on May 1, 2023.
Water Rate Increase:
In order to pay the debt for the water treatment plant improvements, voted on by Centralia voters in 2017, the water minimum rate must be increased. The minimum charge for water is $4.88 plus the base meter fee. $12.86 has been added to each meter size to make up for the debt payment. The new rate will be effective April 25, 2023.
Example: 800 gallons with 3/4 inch meter = $22.62, or 800 gallons with 2 inch meter = $40.40. (Prior to this increase the rate was: 800 gallons with 3/4 inch meter = $9.76, or 800 gallons with 2 inch meter = $27.52)
Centralia water customers will see the rate increase on the bill that they receive on June 1, 2023.
Electric Rate Increase
In order to keep up with the rising costs of materials, the electric rate will be increased by 5.5% for all electric customers. The current rate is $.1120 per kilowatt hour with a $16.00 usage charge (base fee). The new rate effective April 25, 2023, will be $.1182 with the same $16.00 usage charge (base fee).
Example: 500 kilowatt hours x .1182 + 16.00 = $75.10. (Prior to the increase the rate was: 500 kilowatt hours x .1120 + 16.00 = $72.00)
Centralia electric customers will see the rate increase on the bill that they receive on June 1, 2023.