King County officials briefed the Bellevue City Council on June 4 about proposed rate hikes for wastewater services. If implemented, the move would result in higher monthly bills for customers, including those in Bellevue.

Bellevue has a long-term contract with King County for treatment and disposal of all sewage. Bellevue’s policy calls for passing through wholesale rate changes directly to customers.

The county proposal is for a 2013-2014 increase of 10.4 percent in the wholesale rate charged to cities that are part of the regional wastewater system. In Bellevue, that would translate to a roughly 6.3 percent boost for residential customers, or about $3.79 per month, bringing the average monthly wastewater bill to $64.18 starting in 2013. There would be no additional increase in 2014 under the plan.

The exact rate increase won’t be known until the King County Council makes a final decision on wholesale rates by June 30, and the Bellevue City Council completes its 2013-2014 budget process later this year.

County officials also have proposed a 3 percent increase in the “capacity charge” for new connections to the regional wastewater system as a result of new construction. Under the plan, beginning in 2013 the charge would rise to $6,618 if paid in one lump sum, or $53.50 per month if payments are made over 15 years.