City Engineer Zach Weigel and consultants from FCS Group briefed the City Council on Sept. 4 on a completed SDC (system development charge) methodology for sewer and stormwater and presented revised maximum defensible charges.

Weigel said the methodology divides SDCs into a reimbursement fee (buy-in to existing capacity) and an improvement fee (cost of future capacity projects), and noted the city can adopt rates up to the maximum defensible level or choose a lower phased-in approach. Using the revised project list, consultants produced a maximum stormwater SDC of about $3,500 per EDU (equivalent dwelling unit), and a maximum sewer SDC figure of roughly $15,000 for a typical single-family meter at the highest strength/domestic charge shown in the packet.

Consultants reported they removed three sewer lift‑station projects that would serve a single development (Frog Pond East) and are typically 100% developer responsibility; that change lowered some meter-size charges, including a reduction of about $1,200 for a standard 5/8-inch single‑family charge. FCS flagged that the figures presented are the maximum defensible SDCs; the city may adopt lower rates and/or phase increases but that choice reduces near-term SDC revenue that otherwise funds capacity projects.

Councilors asked about growth assumptions and the source of flow/load projections. FCS explained projections draw from the 2023 wastewater treatment master plan and include expected growth in the urban reserve; timing of projects affects when charges are needed. Councilor Dunwall asked whether the city risks over-collecting; staff said SDC methodology is tied to project timing and that the city may also rely on utility rate revenue when projects are funded from other sources.

Weigel described required notifications and public engagement: the city issued a 90‑day notice (June 9) and 60‑day notice and hosted a stakeholder meeting July 15 and Aug. 5; the formal public hearing on adoption is scheduled for Sept. 15. If council adopts the proposed SDCs, rates would take effect Jan. 1, 2026. Consultants said phasing a partial adoption for 07/01/2025–07/01/2026 would reduce expected sewer SDC revenue by about $1,000,000 compared with adopting the maximum now.

Ending: Staff asked for council feedback to advance the updated project list and proposed rates to the Sept. 15 public hearing; councilors emphasized continued communication with builders and stakeholders ahead of that hearing.