Port Orchard holds public hearings on 2025 general sewer plan and proposed rate changes

Port Orchard city staff held two public hearings Sept. 25: one on the updated 2025 general sewer plan and a second on a companion sewer utility rate study. The hearings presented the plan’s findings, invited public comment and set a timetable for council consideration.

Public Works staff described the general sewer plan as a long‑range document evaluating roughly 72 miles of mains, 22 lift stations and coordination with the South Kitsap treatment facility and presenting a 20‑year capital improvement program. Key recommendations included lift station upgrades, stronger asset‑management integration, more inspection and monitoring, and additional staffing. “Staff recommends holding a public hearing to allow counsel and the community to review and comment on the plan before formal adoption,” Public Works staff said.

On rates, the study conducted by the FCS Group evaluated current sewer rates, revenue needs and the rate structure for residential and commercial customers. As presented, the study “recommends an annual revenue increase of 4.5 through 2030 to meet operational and capital needs including funding for 2 additional sewer division employees.” Staff described rates as based on equivalent residential units (ERUs) and said the study proposes simplifying nonresidential rates and better aligning costs across customer classes.

Staff also provided a worked example for single‑family customers: the current bimonthly charge for a single ERU was presented as $163; the proposed table showed a bimonthly rate of $153.05 in January 2026 (a temporary reduction under the schedule) with increases resuming in later years. Staff emphasized the plan and rate study would be subject to additional public comment and formal council action; the council noted the next opportunity for action would be the Oct. 14 meeting, and the public was encouraged to submit written comments.

Residents raised transparency and fairness concerns. Longtime attendee Jerry Harmon said he had little notice about the plan and asked how bills would be calculated for households and businesses. Jessica Gallegos White urged clearer public outreach and asked how connection fee decisions relate to the plan. “There needs to be more transparency about the plan and educating community members,” she said; staff offered to provide the work‑study presentation and to contact individuals with follow‑up information.

Staff reported operational data used in the plan: TV inspection coverage of gravity sewer is about 23.1 percent with just over 75 percent remaining to inspect; the city identified 3,235 planned maintenance tasks in its asset system and completed 1,558 to date; staff noted 51 total ERTs (emergency reports) this year with 24 breaks reported to the Department of Ecology. Staff also said the city currently has effectively 4.5 sewer employees (one position is half‑funded by water) and that upgrades to control systems are under contract and expected to be completed within a year.

What happens next: The council closed the hearings and scheduled consideration of rate adjustments at future meetings; staff will accept written comments before council action.