How Does the New Utility Tax Affect My Bills?

Wondering how the utility tax the city council voted in on Tuesday affects your bills?

The easy answer is this: Everyone in Yakima will see a 6 percent increase in their bill starting January 1. That rate's the same whether you're a Nob Hill customer or a City of Yakima customer, and amounts to about $6 for most customers.

"Whatever your current bill," Yakima Mayor Micah Cawley says, "you go up 6 percent."

The only wildcard is whether Nob Hill decides to raise their rates in tandem with the tax. The utility threatened City Council that they might raise their rates if the tax passes, but have not told customers either way.

Of course, there's still the potential the City Council might overturn the tax altogether.

We'll update you as we hear more specifics.