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Snohomish County council approves five‑year charge to manage invasive plants on Lake Serene
Summary
After public testimony from homeowners and a county staff briefing, the Snohomish County Council approved Ordinance 25-018 to add a five-year surface water service charge to fund invasive aquatic plant management on Lake Serene; the measure passed 5-0.
Snohomish County Council on April 16 approved Ordinance 25-018, adding a five-year surface water service charge to fund an invasive aquatic vegetation management plan for Lake Serene. The council voted 5-0 after a public hearing that drew multiple Lake Serene residents and a county staff briefing on funding and timing.
The ordinance authorizes an additional surface water service charge to pay for a five‑year invasive plant management program developed by Snohomish County Surface Water Management and the Lake Serene Community Association. County staff told the council the plan includes a $75,000 Department of Ecology grant for the first two years and that the extra charge is designed to cover the remaining local share of project costs.
Residents who spoke at the hearing described heavy spread of invasive plants—primarily fragrant water lily and slender arrowhead—across roughly 6.5 acres each and said the species have reduced fish and wildlife habitat and made recreation difficult. Ben Bergstrom, president of the Lake Serene Community Association, told the council the community conducted outreach and an online survey of about 98 parcels; he said about 51% of parcels responded and 92% of respondents supported the proposed service charge.
Council staff and Marissa Bergdorf of Surface Water Management explained the proposed charge schedule in response to council questions. The hearing record shows the ordinance authorizes an additional charge of $125 in 2026 and $125 in 2027, and a higher additional annual charge for 2028–2030; the public hearing record did not clearly record a single unambiguous numeric figure for the latter years. Bergdorf also noted the project budget relies in part on the Department of Ecology grant and on a previously existing local surcharge that is scheduled to expire in 2027.
Speakers at the public hearing included neighbors who said mechanical removal had been ineffective long-term and that past county-supported management (to control milfoil in 2006) had succeeded. Several residents — including Mark Fussell, vice president of the Lake Serene Community Association; Steve Murphy, a long‑term resident and civil engineer; Kay Selig; and homeowner Renee Grossman — voiced support for the integrated approach and for the service charge.
Council members thanked the residents and Surface Water Management staff for outreach and described similar successful local lake management programs in other parts of the county. A motion to approve Ordinance 25-018 was made and seconded; the council adopted the ordinance by roll call vote, with Vice Chair Dunn, Council members Mead, Low and Peterson, and Chair Neri voting yes.
The ordinance directs implementation of the five‑year invasive aquatic plant management plan and authorizes collection of the additional surface water service charge as described in the ordinance. County staff indicated grant applications and project management support are already in place and that Surface Water Management will oversee implementation.
The council action was limited to adoption of the ordinance; subsequent operational details, monitoring results and any pesticide use will be handled by Surface Water Management under the approved plan and existing county rules.
