Drafter
Clerk 10/02/2025
Title
A MOTION requesting the wastewater treatment division implement a sewer rate and capital work plan to continue to improve engagement, transparency, and accountability.
Body
WHEREAS, the wastewater treatment division protects public health and the environment by collecting and treating wastewater, and
WHEREAS, King County charges a sewer rate to the contract agencies that deliver wastewater to King County for treatment and discharge, and
WHEREAS, sewer rate revenue is the wastewater treatment division’s primary funding source, and
WHEREAS, the monthly sewer rate revenue collected by the county goes to support all wastewater treatment division expenses, including operating costs, debt service, and capital expenses, and
WHEREAS, while rate increases are necessary to maintain and improve the system, increases must be balanced with affordability for ratepayers, and
WHEREAS, the sewer rate increase is projected to be 12.75 percent in 2027 and in 2028, and 13.5 percent in 2029, 2030, and 2031, and
WHEREAS, the council is deeply concerned that the projected rate increases will no longer be affordable, including and extending beyond low-income ratepayers, and
WHEREAS, as the cost of living in the Central Puget Sound region continues to outpace the national average, as utility bills grow, and income disparity increases, many utility customers struggle to pay bills, and
WHEREAS, the process of setting sewer rates should be transparent, equitable, data-driven, and reflective of both current system needs and long-term infrastructure investment, and
WHEREAS, independent, third-party oversight of the wastewater treatment division’s capital improvement program can promote transparency and identify opportunities for improvement, and
WHEREAS, the King County council passed Motion 16410 requesting the wastewater treatment division research and identify methodologies to forecast the long-term costs of its capital improvement needs, and
WHEREAS, the King County council passed Motion 16449 requesting the wastewater treatment division develop and maintain a long-term financial and sewer rate forecast, and
WHEREAS, the wastewater treatment division continues to improve the methodology and the long-term capital forecasting related to the sewer rate, and
WHEREAS, decision makers desire information from the wastewater treatment division to facilitate informed discussions on the policy decisions related to the sewer rate, and
WHEREAS, in accordance with RCW 35.58.210 and K.C.C. 28.82.510 the function of the metropolitan pollution abatement advisory committee is to advise the King County council on matters relating to the performance of the water pollution abatement function, and
WHEREAS, the metropolitan pollution abatement advisory committee, regional water quality committee, and cities of Bellevue, Kirkland, and Seattle have submitted comment letters in response to the 2026 sewer rate and capacity charge to the King County council, identifying significant concerns about affordability and transparency, and
WHEREAS, the wastewater treatment division, in consultation with the regional water quality committee, has developed the attached work plan to improve the rate development process in response to the comment letters submitted in response to the 2026 sewer rate, and
WHEREAS, in accordance with Section 270.30 of the King County Charter and K.C.C. 1.24.065, the regional water quality committee developed this motion to be proposed to the King County council;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT MOVED by the Council of King County:
A. The wastewater treatment division is requested to implement the work plan, included as Attachment A to this ordinance, to continue to improve engagement, transparency, and accountability in the sewer rate-setting process.
B. The wastewater treatment division is requested to provide briefings to the
regional water quality committee on the status of the implementation of the work plan by January 2026 and July 2026.