City Services Billing Rates

General Information

The City operates its utilities just like a business. That means the utilities must generate enough revenue through Customer fees to cover all the costs of operating the "business". In addition to staff time, equipment maintenance, and materials and supplies needed to provide the direct services of each utility, other costs, such as debt service payments and funding for capital improvements, must also be recovered through the rates. Utility funds are not supported by property taxes; revenue is generated from user fees.

Each year the rate schedule is reviewed to determine if adjustments are needed to maintain the utility fund’s viability. Costs in the utility fields historically increase at greater than inflationary rates. In addition, all  utilities are responding to evolving federal and state regulations, and to the needs of an expanding infrastructure system due to growth in the community.

The City Council adopted a strategy in 1995 to combine the utilities when reviewing increase proposals. Most recently, in December 2016, the City Council updated the associated Financial Policy to require Council to balance the need for sound management of the City’s infrastructure with the burden utility fees can place on the community.

Municipal Code chapter 3 discusses fees within the City Services bill. This includes fees for Water, Wastewater, Stormwater, Street Maintenance, Sidewalk Maintenance, Transit Operations, Urban Forestry, Police Public Service, Fire Public Service, and Low-Income Assistance. Chapter 3 of Municipal Code can be viewed here.

Rate Review Process

The Public Works Department takes the lead for the organization in the rate review process. In September, we review and update the financial plans for the department, including those for the utility funds. This provides a blueprint for any additions or changes to basic services needed in the upcoming years to meet the system's demands. Projects resulting from this review or from the update to the Capital Improvement Program are prioritized and scheduled for an appropriate year. Working with the Finance Department, we identify fluctuations in non-operating costs, like debt service or equipment reserves.

The financial plans are an instrument to test "what if" scenarios, adjusting expenditures and/or revenues to maintain the balance between rates and expected service levels and ensure the fund’s viability through the planning window. Staff-recommended utility rates are developed from this review.

Next, we ask local communities of a similar size for their utility rates to test the proposed Corvallis average monthly residential utility bill against other municipalities. This information, along with a history of rates in Corvallis for the last ten years, is provided to the City Council to aid them in their review.

In December, the utility rate adjustment discussion is scheduled for a meeting of the City Council. Public input is solicited through an ad in the local paper and the City’s government-access television station. A copy of the staff report and background material is put on file at the Public Library and City Hall for community members to review.

An opportunity for public comment is available at a public hearing before the full City Council. If, after their review of the issue, the Council approves the staff recommendation, they pass a resolution changing the utility rates effective February 1st. A copy of the most recent staff report supporting the rate increases may be downloaded from this website.

 

Utility Rate Structure – February 1, 2024     

 

Rates for Single-Dwelling Customers:

 

 

 

 

 

Meter Size

Base Rate

hcf

Water Consumption Rates                     per hcf

Wastewater Consumption Rate                   per hcf

Stormwater Rate

 

1st Level

2nd Level

3rd Level

Base Rate

All Usage

Per ESU

3/4"

 $      19.21

0-7

 $    2.11

 $    2.43

 $    2.55

 $  22.67

 $       3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

8-13

 $    2.76

 $    3.08

 $    3.20

 

 

 

 

 

≥14

 $    3.37

 $    3.69

 $    3.82

 

 

 

1.0"

 $      29.54

0-7

 $    2.11

 $    2.43

 $    2.55

 $  22.67

 $       3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

8-13

 $    2.76

 $    3.08

 $    3.20

 

 

 

 

 

≥14

 $    3.37

 $    3.69

 $    3.82

 

 

 

1.5"

 $      36.46

0-7

 $    2.11

 $    2.43

 $    2.55

 $  22.67

 $       3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

8-13

 $    2.76

 $    3.08

 $    3.20

 

 

 

 

 

≥14

 $    3.37

 $    3.69

 $    3.82

 

 

 

 

* hcf = 1 unit = 100 cubic feet = 748 gallons.

** Wastewater rates are based on water consumption. Summer wastewater rates are effective from May 1 through November 30. Wastewater bills are based on the previous winter month's average water consumption or upon actual consumption, whichever is less.
*** ESU = Equivalent Surface Unit = 1 ESU = 2,750 square feet

1st Level, 2nd Level, 3rd Level – Consumption rates are arranged into levels that correspond with areas served that require secondary pumping to provide for adequate pressure in accordance with State and federal regulations.  Level 1, the lowest elevation requires no additional pumping to provide service; Level 2 requires some additional pumping; Level 3, the higher elevation area in Corvallis, requires the most additional pumping.  Secondary pumping involves additional infrastructure in the form of pump stations, water storage facilities, and associated piping, and creates increased electricity expense.

Rates for Multi-Dwelling Customers:

  

Meter Size

Base Rate

hcf

Water Consumption Rates          per hcf

Wastewater Consumption Rate           per hcf

Stormwater Rate

  
 

1st Level

2nd Level

3rd Level

Base Rate

All Usage

Per ESU

  

3/4"

 $      28.53

0-7

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

 $       3.62

 $     10.87

 

 

 

8-13

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

 

 

  

 

 

≥14

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

 

 

  

1.0"

 $      44.46

0-18

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

 $       3.62

 $     10.87

 

 

 

19-33

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

 

 

  

 

 

≥34

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

 

 

  

1.5"

 $      55.06

0-35

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

 $       3.62

 $     10.87

 

 

 

36-65

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

 

 

  

 

 

≥66

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

 

 

  

2.0"

 $    108.11

0-56

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

 $       3.62

 $     10.87

 

 

 

57-104

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

 

 

  

 

 

≥105

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

 

 

  

3.0"

 $    373.34

0-112

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

 $       3.62

 $     10.87

 

 

 

113-208

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

 

 

  

 

 

≥209

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

 

 

  

4.0"

 $    638.59

0-175

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

 $       3.62

 $     10.87

 

 

 

176-325

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

 

 

  

 

 

≥326

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

 

 

  

6.0"

 $ 1,062.99

0-350

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

 $       3.62

 $     10.87

 

 

 

351-650

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

 

 

  

 

 

≥651

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

 

 

  

8.0"

 $ 1,699.59

0-560

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

 $       3.62

 $     10.87

 

 

 

561-1040

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

 

 

  

 

 

≥1041

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

 

 

  

10.0"

 $ 2,442.30

0-805

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

 $       3.62

 $     10.87

 

 

 

806-1495

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

 

 

  

 

 

≥1496

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

 

 

  

 

* hcf = 1 unit = 100 cubic feet = 748 gallons.
** Wastewater rates are based on water consumption. Summer wastewater rates are effective from May 1 through November 30. Wastewater bills are based on the previous winter month's average water consumption or upon actual consumption, whichever is less.
*** ESU = Equivalent Surface Unit = 1 ESU = 2,750 square feet

Rates for group residential/fraternity/sorority:
(D=Domestic; M=Medium; H=High; VH=Very High)

  

Meter Size

Base Rate

hcf

Water Consumption Rates                per hcf

Wastewater Consumption Rates                    per hcf

Stormwater Rate

  
 

1st Level

2nd Level

3rd Level

Base Rate

All Usage

Per ESU

  

3/4"

 $      28.53

0-7

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

8-13

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

M - $4.25

 

  

 

 

≥14

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

H - $6.11

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

  

1.0"

 $      44.46

0-18

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

19-33

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

M - $4.25

 

  

 

 

≥34

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

H - $6.11

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

  

1.5"

 $      55.06

0-35

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

36-65

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

M - $4.25

 

  

 

 

≥66

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

H - $6.11

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

  

2.0"

 $    108.11

0-56

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

57-104

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

M - $4.25

 

  

 

 

≥105

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

H - $6.11

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

  

3.0"

 $    373.34

0-112

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

113-208

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

M - $4.25

 

  

 

 

≥209

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

H - $6.11

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

  

4.0"

 $    638.59

0-175

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

176-325

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

M - $4.25

 

  

 

 

≥326

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

H - $6.11

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

  

6.0"

 $ 1,062.99

0-350

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

351-650

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

M - $4.25

 

  

 

 

≥651

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

H - $6.11

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

  

8.0"

 $ 1,699.59

0-560

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

561-1040

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

M - $4.25

 

  

 

 

≥1041

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

H - $6.11

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

  

10.0"

 $ 2,442.30

0-805

 $    1.52

 $    1.84

 $    1.98

 $  22.67

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

806-1495

 $    1.68

 $    2.00

 $    2.14

 

M - $4.25

 

  

 

 

≥1496

 $    1.83

 $    2.15

 $    2.29

 

H - $6.11

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

  

 

 

Rates for commercial and all other customers:
(D=Domestic; M=Medium; H=High; VH=Very High)

Meter Size

Base Rate

hcf

Water Consumption Rates            per hcf

Wastewater Consumption Rates               per hcf

Stormwater

Rate

1st Level

2nd Level

3rd Level

Base Rate

All Usage

Per ESU

3/4"

 $      28.53

≥0

 $    1.46

 $    1.73

 $    1.97

 $  28.38

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M - $4.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H - $6.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

1.0"

 $      44.46

≥0

 $    1.46

 $    1.73

 $    1.97

 $  28.38

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M - $4.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H - $6.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

1.5"

 $      55.06

≥0

 $    1.46

 $    1.73

 $    1.97

 $  28.38

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M - $4.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H - $6.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

2.0"

 $    108.11

≥0

 $    1.46

 $    1.73

 $    1.97

 $  28.38

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M - $4.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H - $6.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

3.0"

 $    373.34

≥0

 $    1.46

 $    1.73

 $    1.97

 $  28.38

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M - $4.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H - $6.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

4.0"

 $    638.59

≥0

 $    1.46

 $    1.73

 $    1.97

 $  28.38

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M - $4.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H - $6.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

6.0"

 $ 1,062.99

≥0

 $    1.46

 $    1.73

 $    1.97

 $  28.38

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M - $4.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H - $6.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

8.0"

 $ 1,699.59

≥0

 $    1.46

 $    1.73

 $    1.97

 $  28.38

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M - $4.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H - $6.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

10.0"

 $ 2,442.30

≥0

 $    1.46

 $    1.73

 $    1.97

 $  28.38

D - $3.61

 $     10.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M - $4.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H - $6.11

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VH - $8.40

 

* hcf = 1 unit = 100 cubic feet = 748 gallons.
** Wastewater rates are based on actual water consumption throughout the year and the strength class of the wastewater discharge.
*** ESU = Equivalent Surface Unit = 1 ESU = 2,750 square feet

Rates for irrigation meters:

Meter Size

Base Rate

hcf

Water Consumption Rates         per hcf

1st Level

2nd Level

3rd Level

3/4"

 $      16.73

0-7

 $    2.82

 $    3.31

 $    3.68

 

 

8-13

 $    3.65

 $    4.14

 $    4.51

 

 

≥14

 $    4.51

 $    5.00

 $    5.37

1.0"

 $      25.55

0-7

 $    2.82

 $    3.31

 $    3.68

 

 

8-13

 $    3.65

 $    4.14

 $    4.51

 

 

≥14

 $    4.51

 $    5.00

 $    5.37

1.5"

 $      31.45

0-7

 $    2.82

 $    3.31

 $    3.68

 

 

8-13

 $    3.65

 $    4.14

 $    4.51

 

 

≥14

 $    4.51

 $    5.00

 $    5.37

2.0"

 $      60.51

0-7

 $    2.82

 $    3.31

 $    3.68

 

 

8-13

 $    3.65

 $    4.14

 $    4.51

 

 

≥14

 $    4.51

 $    5.00

 $    5.37

3.0"

 $    208.04

0-7

 $    2.82

 $    3.31

 $    3.68

 

 

8-13

 $    3.65

 $    4.14

 $    4.51

 

 

≥14

 $    4.51

 $    5.00

 $    5.37

4.0"

 $    355.22

0-7

 $    2.82

 $    3.31

 $    3.68

 

 

8-13

 $    3.65

 $    4.14

 $    4.51

 

 

≥14

 $    4.51

 $    5.00

 $    5.37

6.0"

 $    590.70

0-7

 $    2.82

 $    3.31

 $    3.68

 

 

8-13

 $    3.65

 $    4.14

 $    4.51

 

 

≥14

 $    4.51

 $    5.00

 $    5.37

8.0"

 $    943.91

0-7

 $    2.82

 $    3.31

 $    3.68

 

 

8-13

 $    3.65

 $    4.14

 $    4.51

 

 

≥14

 $    4.51

 $    5.00

 $    5.37

10.0"

 $ 1,356.01

0-7

 $    2.82

 $    3.31

 $    3.68

 

 

8-13

 $    3.65

 $    4.14

 $    4.51

 

 

≥14

 $    4.51

 $    5.00

 $    5.37

 

* hcf = 1 unit = 100 cubic feet = 748 gallons.

Rates for Water Service Outside the City Limits

Rates for water service rendered outside the City shall be double the rates provided for service inside the City

Rates for Fire Service

The following are standby (minimum) charges for automatic fire service. Charges are based on wet or dry sprinkling systems without hose or other connections; combined systems will pay the regular service meter minimums and the regular meter rates:

 

Fire Service
Meter Size
Base Rate
1" $1.54
1.5" $1.95
2"
$3.85
3"
$13.49
4"
$23.11
6"
$38.51
8"
$61.63
10" $88.59

 

The rate for water service delivered through detector meters for fire protection shall be the rates as determined from time to time by motion from the City Council and are not covered by the foregoing rate schedules. For more information, call 541-766-6949.

      

Street Maintenance Fee 

  1. Single Family Residential $9.63
  2. Multi-Family Residential $7.46 per unit
  3. Non-Residential is $1.019 per trip

 

Sidewalk Maintenance Fee 

The monthly fee for each customer group is $2.00 per account:

          a) Excluding Fire & Irrigation Services

 

Transit Operations Fee

The monthly fee for each customer group is as follows:

        a) Single family residential, $4.23 per unit

        b) Multi-family residential, $2.92 per unit

        c) Group residential, $0.441 per trip

        d) Non-residential, $0.066 per trip

 

Urban Forestry Fee

The monthly fee for each customer group is $1.00 per account:

         a) Excluding Fire & Irrigation Services

 

Police Public Service Fee                                          Fire Public Service Fee

Police portion of the Service Fee

    

Fire portion of the Service Fee

  

Meter Size

RME

Rate

Total Fee

  

Meter Size

RME

Rate

Total Fee

No Meter

1

 $         13.55

 $           13.55

  

No Meter

1

 $         14.84

 $           14.84

5/8-3/4"

1

 $         13.55

 $           13.55

  

5/8-3/4"

1

 $         14.84

 $           14.84

1

2

 $         13.55

 $           27.10

  

1

2

 $         14.84

 $           29.68

1.5

4

 $         13.55

 $           54.20

  

1.5

4

 $         14.84

 $           59.36

2

7

 $         13.55

 $           94.85

  

2

7

 $         14.84

 $           103.88

3

16

 $         13.55

 $         216.80

  

3

16

 $         14.84

 $         237.44

4

28

 $         13.55

 $         379.40

  

4

28

 $         14.84

 $         415.52

6

64

 $         13.55

 $         867.20

  

6

64

 $         14.84

 $         949.76

10

178

 $         13.55

 $     2,411.90

  

10

178

 $         14.84

 $     2,641.52

 

 

L0w-Income Assistance Program

  1. The monthly fee for each customer group is $.83 per account
  2. This excludes Fire & Irrigation Services
  3. Low-Income Assistance credit shall be set as the rate of $53.55 per month
Utility Customers with No City Water Meter

Single-dwelling property that does not have utility-provided water service and therefore has no water meter, but that has a connection to the utility's wastewater service, shall pay $44.33 per month, plus the applicable stormwater and transportation maintenance fees.

Multi-dwelling un-metered rates shall be $44.33 per month for the first residential unit and $22.67 for each additional living unit above one, plus the applicable stormwater and transportation maintenance fees.

Storm Water Rates

Single dwelling
$10.87 per month
All other classes
$10.87 per ESU*
Special user
$2.02 per ESU*

 

* ESU = Equivalent Surface Unit = 1 ESU = 2,750 square feet

Additional Charges
New Account Set-up Fee $25.00
Service Renewal Penalty Fee $35.00
Returned Check fee / Returned Bank Draft $25.00 
Door Hanger Fee $15.00

 

 

For More Information

For questions regarding your bill or to start utility service, call City Services Billing at 541-766-6949.

For questions regarding the rate review process, call the Public Works Department at 541-766-6916.

 

  • Printer-friendly version