The Jefferson County Public Housing Authority reported that Garden Court Apartments, a 40-unit property owned by the authority in Port Hadlock, will connect to a new county sewer system next week. County crews are scheduled to install grinder pumps on-site; staff said connection costs to the PHA will be minimal out of pocket aside from a small electrical expense that the PHA expects to get reimbursed by the county.

Staff said the aging on-site septic system will be decommissioned once the property connects to the new sewer. The county offers a low-income multifamily rate equal to 50% of the regular multifamily rate. Staff quoted the multifamily rate as $80 per unit; at the subsidized rate Garden Court will pay roughly just under $20,000 per year for sewer service. The authority’s management team has been asked to ensure the property’s 2026 budget can absorb the new recurring cost.

Staff compared the new charge to other local fees and noted variation across jurisdictions; Port Angeles has lower fees, while Forks charges comparatively high sewer fees. Commissioners asked for clarification about the monthly charge and staff confirmed the subsidy structure and the anticipated annual cost estimate.

The connection will retire the property’s septic system and remove the operational challenges of serving 40 units on septic.