[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6350609,"mediaKeyId","2232187-3d0d5c6b839aa476c07b23c297a57f55","parentId",2232187,"title","Snoqualmie staff propose ‘maximum‑debt’ CIP scenario; committee asks for rate design next meeting","audioSeconds",3807,"startMs",1028000,"endMs",4835000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2232187-3d0d5c6b839aa476c07b23c297a57f55&start=1028&end=4835","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2232187-3d0d5c6b839aa476c07b23c297a57f55/thumbnail_1028000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6350609/Snoqualmie/King-County/Washington/Snoqualmie-staff-propose-maximumdebt-CIP-scenario-committee-asks-for-rate-design-next-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350609-c6a11a1b8ae93ec4f5cdda51630c5b72/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185041&Signature=T4ASAw289tt~JtQVlg-9PdHGqWthBs1Ro1bjjlLnw~1B0WtZb6tOxlmY0ZAkCdMyIWX3ZAr~SNsKNKr1ZZxjC0QgR91fV6AoWtlzEDgdJXNuTHvxPiqhTk71h6tZ3uapjuNjcZ5uUwW4bjjBQE4773nZV5qxdhgd16aIdbqo3sR3cXZc1zO5DYWMxe-sMA~zGNvbDbPCpv28qGqdaWG4svmETLXkIGTpenX868Ox8UKKqgozkFG5YoxCCMl6P4sRtv951oxzl6k~TypObS~MOT8LD5nWTEuxiyqBHys7P0sBNvyI~7quk8p~yuKSMvjjWzFVU206Ui3UjSoQiupEzw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Snoqualmie Government, WA","date","2025-02-05T15:39:05Z","article","City staff and advisors presented the utility capital improvement program (CIP) and utility rate study to the Public Works Committee, laying out project priorities across water, wastewater and stormwater and offering three scenarios for rate design. The committee directed staff to develop a rate design based on a staff‑recommended “maximum‑debt” scenario that would borrow more now to smooth near‑term rate spikes.

Dylan (project manager/presenter) walked the committee through the CIP spreadsheet and an 11x17 summary sheet that color‑coded projects by utility and criticality. Dylan described three scenarios: an “ordinance” scenario embedded in the prior rate ordinance, a “coverage” scenario focused on debt‑coverage ratios, and a “maximum‑debt” scenario that delays or reduces some capital projects, increases debt borrowing in the near term and smooths the rate increases expected in 2025.

The presentation covered multiple water projects that staff said drive much of the near‑term rate pressure: pressure‑zone conversions and pressure‑reducing‑valve (PRV) work to improve fire flow in the downtown “599” zone; a PRV‑stations study to optimize pressure regulation; additional booster pumps in the 705 and 1040 zones to improve supply to the ridge; and a 1040 reservoir addition tied to future development and a possible mill‑site project.

Staff discussed the South Well Field and an aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) pilot. Jeff (water staff) and Dylan said the South Well Field is a backup supply with taste and odor issues; an ASR pilot (pilot testing scheduled to begin in spring) would pump wintertime surplus from Canyon Springs into the aquifer to improve drought resilience and could reduce the need for more costly South Well Field upgrades if the pilot succeeds. Staff said they expect to know whether ASR will be viable by late 2025 and noted that if ASR succeeds the city would likely avoid larger South Well Field construction.

Canyon Springs also drew attention: staff described an aging chlorine generator that is undersized for the volume needed if ASR proceeds, and long‑term erosion and slope instability that threaten access to primary spring infrastructure. Staff said the city performs twice‑yearly geologic assessments at that site and recommended an equipment upgrade and later stabilization work.

Staff emphasized that the sewer CIP is the largest driver of rate increases. Dylan proposed several specific adjustments: delay or bundle river‑crossing projects into a later feasibility package tied to the state’s SR‑202 work; reduce the scope of a large 3rd/4th Street sewer project where engineering has overestimated costs; and maximize bonding across utilities to spread costs over more years. Committee members asked for packaged options and for the staff recommendation to be shown alongside alternatives. Several members expressed support for the “maximum‑debt” approach as the most promising path to reduce the 2025 peak rate increase, while acknowledging tradeoffs and the need to avoid risky deferments that could increase costs later.

The committee asked staff to prepare a rate design for the “maximum‑debt” scenario for the next Public Works Committee meeting and then to present the ordinance and rate design to full council. Staff outlined a timeline that would return to committees with a proposed rate design, proceed to council for ordinance readings and adopt rates in time for the next budget cycle. No formal council vote on rates occurred at this meeting; the committee’s action was a direction to staff to prepare and return with the requested materials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2025-02-04 Snoqualmie Parks and Public Works Committee Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Public Works Committee reviewed the city’s utility capital improvement plan and utility rate scenarios, including a staff‑recommended “maximum‑debt” approach to smooth a 2025 rate spike; the committee asked staff to present a rate design for that scenario to the next committee meeting and then to council.","taxTitle","Snoqualmie, King County, Washington","taxId",71685,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6350615,"Snoqualmie staff recommend accepting $6.87 million Ecology loan to build reclaimed-water reservoir",909,50000,959000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2232187-3d0d5c6b839aa476c07b23c297a57f55&start=50&end=959","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2232187-3d0d5c6b839aa476c07b23c297a57f55/thumbnail_50000.jpg","/articles/6350615/Snoqualmie/King-County/Washington/Snoqualmie-staff-recommend-accepting-687-million-Ecology-loan-to-build-reclaimed-water-reservoir","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6350615-67ab1e5b0368ea8afc6f924a6e109c9f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771185041&Signature=Gj-csmkBlZdNGANmKvUJHTcUI8znITwIwZ3~JokIxM3Vw6q-PG16QYxn70k-~s9C5Z40PsS7TJwaunlYTPuVO2OwxII-GqV6hRCTApm8vXWvrA~wjQVo9jpgT0~7OF7Lnt0~sXvK4Ela36~9h1SglZ3-FcnYbUZ6-Dmna1bPPHPDo5NlQj51dQXwZ~yvPK52jl9O2GLWBxSQNThH6QmhROEZ1mPkiq4j3ydIl3nu65YYD~~DQtWfKx1nI3jpPVRokobs1KFVOvavZ49G4prhxoacREDPe2HP3qCpxl7Pkwd9o0pd9vE0lpyf3J00Cv3y1HGZdzJztOg99epiWQGaCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Snoqualmie considered a resolution (AB 25-023) to accept a $6,866,000 low‑interest loan from the Washington State Department of Ecology to build a new reclaimed‑water reservoir.

Andrew Vining, engineer, presented the loan package and told the committee the state offered a 30‑year term at an effective 1.6% interest rate. Vining said the loan is more competitive than issuing market‑rate bonds and that the city will continue to bring individual construction contracts back to council for approval under city financial policy.

City staff and the committee focused on how the loan affects city finances. Finance Director Drew Boutet and bond counsel from Pacifica Law Group were present to answer questions. Committee members pressed for clearer budget language and an amortization/debt‑service picture; one member asked that the agenda summary explicitly state the loan amount, interest rate and term rather than a generic “no budget impact” statement.

Boutet and other staff clarified that the City does not pay interest on the total loan until it draws funds. Reimbursement requests to Ecology would be staged as project costs are incurred; if the city draws only part of the loan at first it pays interest only on that amount. Staff also noted Ecology’s published effective rate of 1.6% includes a 0.3% Ecology administrative charge. The loan packet attached to the agenda includes a $30,000 line for grant/loan administration and references an approved indirect cost rate listed in the materials.

Committee members asked about audit and federal‑funding requirements. Staff said the contract cites a standard audit provision: recipients that expend $750,000 or more in federal awards in a fiscal year must obtain a single audit; the city has been subject to such audits in recent years because of ARPA and other federal funds.

After discussion, the committee agreed to advance the resolution for council consideration on the nonconsent calendar; the meeting transcript records committee members saying staff should “take this forward” and that the item will be placed on nonconsent for the next council agenda. The committee did not record a final vote on adoption of the loan in the transcript; staff said formal project contracts and any reimbursements will return to council for separate approvals.

Next steps: staff will add the requested budget and debt‑service detail to the agenda materials, continue coordination with bond counsel and Ecology, and present the item on the nonconsent calendar for council consideration. Construction timelines in the packet show an anticipated project schedule through June 30, 2026, and staff said bids are being lined up to meet that deadline.","City staff asked the Public Works Committee to advance a resolution accepting a $6,866,000 low-interest loan from the Washington State Department of Ecology to finance a reclaimed-water reservoir; the committee agreed to carry the item forward on a nonconsent basis and asked for additional budget detail before final approvals.","actionData","errors"]

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Snoqualmie staff propose ‘maximum‑debt’ CIP scenario; committee asks for rate design next meeting

Snoqualmie staff recommend accepting $6.87 million Ecology loan to build reclaimed-water reservoir