The Yakima City Council approved an amendment to the Yakima Municipal Code that eliminates a cap on utility taxes for large-scale utility customers. The action took place during the Council’s December 5th regular business meeting
It is anticipated the change will generate $300,000 more in General Fund revenues in 2018. It is also anticipated General Fund revenues will increase by $550,000 beginning in 2019.
The cap applied to customers with monthly utility bills over $200,000. As a result, eliminating the cap will impact only the very largest utility customers in Yakima.
Research shows that no other Washington cities had utility caps applied like those in the city of Yakima.
By state law, the total utility tax rate is limited to 6%.
The Yakima City Council will consider final approval of the 2018 budget during its next meeting at 2:00 pm on Tuesday, December 12th. The meeting will be in Council Chambers at Yakima City Hall, 129 North 2nd Street.