Utilities Budget Approved
The Bellevue City Council adopted the 2023-2024 budget. New rates go into effect on January 1. Utility rates are approved by City Council as part of the City’s biennial budget. Before the proposed budget reaches City Council, it is thoroughly reviewed by the Environmental Services Commission, a seven-member citizen advisory commission. After a public hearing to review public comments, the Commission unanimously recommended that Council approve the Utilities proposed 2023-2024 budget and rates.
A virtual community meeting was held to discuss the budget process and the rate impacts for 2023-2024.
What is considered in the budget?
- Maintaining stable and predictable rates to avoid large rate increases in the future
- Keeping our rates competitive with neighboring cities
- Meeting the long-term needs of our customers and community
- Ensuring we provide the level of service expected by customers
Budget and Cost Drivers for 2023-2024
Bellevue Utilities has a $378.1 million budget to cover operating expenses over the next two years. The graph below shows the drivers of utility costs for the next two years, broken down by cost area.
What's included in these cost areas?
- Costs to external agencies (shown in yellow): These are payments for wholesale water supply and wastewater treatment, the taxes we pay as a business, and costs for support services from other City of Bellevue departments. Cost increases in these areas are outside of our control.
-
Capital investments (shown in blue) These investments are necessary to take care of aging infrastructure and ensure consistent, reliable services. CIP Support includes both near-term and long-term capital investment to ensure that each generation of ratepayers pay their fair share.
- Local operations (shown in green). This covers all costs needed to run the utilities: maintain and operate the systems and meet regulatory requirements, personnel costs, supplies, professional services, and more. A lean budget is proposed to maintain existing service levels and meet regulatory requirements.
What will the average utility bill look like in 2023-2024?
The table below shows the rate impact over the next two years broken down by cost driver for the typical single-family bill. Learn more utilities service costs.
As the table shows, rates will increase by 6.7% in 2023 and 5.8% in 2024.