Water and sewer customers could see a rate increase in 2016, but not electric customers, at least not in a draft 2016 budget proposed by Jefferson County Public Utility District 1 and up for review.

A public hearing on the budget is set for 5 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 5 at the PUD's office at 230 Chimacum Road in Port Hadlock.

PUD Manager Jim Parker said the only rate increase in the current budget is related to sewer and water customers.

If approved, water customers would see a 25-cent-per-month increase in their base charge and a 10-cent increase per 1,000 gallons of water used. The increases would take effect in January 2016, if approved by a majority of the three commissioners.

If approved, sewer customers would see a base rate hike of $2 a month with monthly rates going from $26 to $28.

Water customers should have seen one last rate hike several years ago, but that was put off when the PUD purchased the power system from Puget Sound Energy, Parker said.

“We had discussion about a future increase for electrical, but not this year,” Parker said, noting that an increase would require consultants to return to talk to the board and there also would need to be rate hearings for that to happen.

“Our current reserves are still in good shape,” Parker said.

The draft budget can be viewed on the PUD's website at jeffpud.org.