A New City Charter Would Let Spokane Bill You for Water Whether You Use It or Not

Council Bill No. 77 is now not only printed but circulated in this city. Under a call from Dr. J. E. Handy, president of the City Council, that body held a meeting Saturday evening for the purpose of looking over the charter, discussing its provisions and making such changes as were thought expedient. There were a number of our citizens present, and the various sections were carefully scrutinized. In the main, so far as we can learn, the charter proved satisfactory, a few minor changes being made.

The only point that was strongly opposed was the following clause from Article 10, Section 10: "The City Council shall have power to make all needed rules and regulations for the use of water supplied by the water works of said city, and to do all acts and make all rules and regulations for the construction, completion, management or control of the water works, and for the levying and collecting of any water taxes, rates or assessments as the said City Council may deem necessary and expedient; and such water taxes, rentals or assessments may be levied against any lot or parcel of ground having a building or buildings thereon, which shall abut or join any street, avenue or alley in said city, through which the distributing pipes of such water works of said city are or may be laid, which can be conveniently supplied with water from said pipes, whether the water shall be used on such lot or parcel of ground or not; and the owner, when assessed, shall have to pay the charge upon such lot or parcel of ground, building or buildings situated thereon, and such lien or debt may be collected or enforced in such manner as may be provided by law."

This clause was entirely set out, as in doing so the property owner is responsible for water used by a tenant, or the property itself, whether used or not — granting a property owner water service that it has no right to enjoy, whether it is under the direction of the city or an outside corporation. Or this section may have referred to the levying of a tax for water for the purpose, but it is not so mentioned.

We have not had time to examine into the charter as it is voluminous and was prevented by business engagements from being at the meeting, but understand that the other slight changes referred to at the meeting do not affect the character of the document.