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CUSICK – The Cusick Town Council voted 3-2 against raising sewer rates at its regular meeting Tuesday, April 6, according to Cusick Mayor Tina Alford.
Cusick sewer rates are currently $65 per month.
The rate increase would have raised sewer rates in the town of Cusick to $71.50 per month and in Usk to $78.65. That would have been a 10% increase for both Cusick and Usk and an additional 5% surcharge for Usk.
Council members Afton Servas, Jon Adams and Donna Dana voted no, with Roger Brown and Jasmine Fitzhugh voted yes.
Rate increases were sought in order to qualify for some funding from the state to fix the lift station at the wastewater treatment plant, which failed multiple times last year, Alford said. She said officials from the state were scheduled to be present at a special council meeting Tuesday, April 20.
The Town of Cusick is currently in compliance with its wastewater discharge permit according to Stephanie May, communications manager for the state Department of Ecology’s easter regional office. She said the town is facing upcoming regulatory deadlines outlined in both their permit and an associated administrative order. The first significant deadline is Dec. 31. By the end of the year the town must submit detailed Infiltration and Inflow plans and specifications for their wastewater collection system. Meeting this requirement is essential to maintaining compliance.
