University Place Rates
In fall of 2020, the University Place City Council imposed a utility tax on services to residents and businesses located within the City of University Place. The University Place Ordinance imposes a tax of three percent to go into effect April 1, 2021, increasing to six percent on April 1, 2022. The change will affect approximately 14,300 Tacoma Power customers and 9,500 Tacoma Water customers.
Once approved by the Tacoma Public Utility Board and the Tacoma City Council, TPU will increase the rates of UP customers to reflect the cost of the tax.
The Tacoma Public Utility Board approved UP’s rates at the meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 27. The Tacoma City Council will now vote on the rates in February. We want to provide customers with the information now in order to prepare for a change to their bill.
Here is what University Place customers can expect when the rates are approved:
- Tacoma Power
-
Date in effect: April 1, 2021
- Percentage adjustment: 5%
- Residential increase per month: $4.64*
Date in effect: April 1, 2022
- Percentage adjustment: 5.7%
- Residential increase per month: $5.54*
Residents of University Place are subject to both the UP tax and the Tacoma Power rate adjustment. The amounts given above show the combined impact of both changes.
*The dollar values given above reflect the bill impact for residential customers who use the system-average amount of 928 kWh per month.
- Tacoma Water
-
Date in effect: January 1, 2021
- Percentage adjustment: 1.5%
- Residential increase per month: $0.69*
Date in effect: April 1, 2021
- Percentage adjustment: 3.6%
- Residential increase per month: $2.58*
Date in effect: January 1, 2022
- Percentage adjustment: 2%
- Residential increase per month: $1.69*
Date in effect: April 1, 2022
- Percentage adjustment: 3.7%
- Residential increase per month: $3.85*
Residents of University Place are subject to both the UP tax (April adjustments) and the Tacoma Water rate adjustment (January adjustments).
*The dollar values given above reflect the bill impact for residential customers who use an average of 6 CCF in winter months and 9 CCF in summer months.
February 23, 2021 presentation to Tacoma City Council
February 22, 2021 response to Government Performance & Finance Committee presentation
February 16, 2021 presentation to Government Performance & Finance Committee
January 27, 2021 Public Utility Board Presentation
If you have questions about this tax, please call the University Place City Hall at 253-566-5656.
For information about TPU’s payment assistance program, visit MyTPU.org/Assistance.
If you are interested in learning about how saving energy and water can lower your bill, visit MyTPU.org/Ways-to-Save.