Enumclaw council repeals YBRS water surcharge, approves budget amendment, annexation and two interlocal agreements

Enumclaw City Council on April 28 approved a package of ordinances and interlocal agreements affecting the city’s water utility, budget and public-safety partnerships. Council voted to repeal the YBRS water-rate surcharge, adopt the first-quarter 2025 budget amendment, revise the city boundary to allow sewer work on McHugh Avenue, renew the school resource officer (SRO) interlocal agreement with the Enumclaw School District and adopt a cooperative services agreement with the Enumclaw Fire Department for jail medical transports. Council also authorized a limited natural‑gas purchase hedge for winter 2025–26.

The votes affect several groups: customers in the YBRS local improvement district, Enumclaw water utility ratepayers generally, students and staff in the Enumclaw School District, and the city jail’s handling of medical transports. City staff said the actions are intended to close out specific project accounts, carry forward multi‑year projects and memorialize long‑standing operational arrangements between public safety agencies.

The council repealed Ordinance No. 2807, which removes the water-rate surcharge established under Ordinance No. 2426 for customers in the YBRS local improvement district, closes the YBRS water-main replacement account and transfers its remaining funds to the water utility’s general fund balance. A resident who spoke during public comment said the neighborhood supports joining the city’s water system, adding, “we are hopeful. We’re excited about a new chapter with the city of Enumclaw.” Public works staff told the council they added language to Section 2 of the ordinance clarifying that future replacement of the YBRS mains will become an obligation of the citywide water customer base, making YBRS “a full partner in the water system.”

Council approved Ordinance No. 2811, a first-quarter amendment to the 2025 operating budget. City Administrator Chris Searcy told the council the amendment carries over a sewer-model update and six water projects from 2024 into 2025, and carries forward two grants (identified in the staff report as the Washington Auto Theft Prevention grant and a state reimbursement tied to court activity). City legal counsel advised the council that RCW provisions permit municipalities discretion in treating such budget adjustments as an emergency for adoption; counsel recommended future discussion about the use of emergency clauses in budget ordinances.

The council also adopted Ordinance No. 2812 to revise the city’s corporate boundary to include the unincorporated portions of properties on Eighth Avenue Southeast and McHugh Avenue (the McHugh boundary-line adjustment). Public works staff said the annexation is timed to allow the city to construct sewer mains and to address county negotiation points about sewer easement fees.

On public safety matters, the council approved Resolution No. 1841, renewing the interlocal agreement with the Enumclaw School District to continue the SRO program. Chief Stan Floyd said the SRO pilot program that began in 2018 has been “very successful since its inception.” Under the renewed agreement the district will pay the city a yearly fee of $70,583 to help fund a mid‑pay‑grade officer; Floyd said EPD and ESD split costs roughly 50/50 and that the renewed agreement extends through the 2027–28 school year.

Council also approved Resolution No. 1842, a new interlocal cooperative services agreement with the Enumclaw Fire Department to formalize prior practice of fire personnel transporting jail inmates to the appropriate medical facility. Chief Floyd explained the agreement memorializes long‑standing, mostly verbal arrangements to avoid future third‑party balance billing; the ILA’s text states, “Neither party shall charge the other for services outlined in this agreement,” and it waives outstanding fees between the agencies as of the agreement’s effective date.

During the public works report the council authorized administration to purchase a winter gas hedge: staff requested and council approved a motion to buy 10% of the average gas load for the period of November 2025 through March 2026 at a price of $5.70 per decatherm or better. Public works staff explained the city’s natural gas utility typically hedges about 75% of load and may add smaller increments—like the 10% requested—when market prices are favorable.

Other consent items approved included rejection and rebidding of all three bids for the Boise Spring main replacement (phase 1) and routine minutes and calendar items. After an executive session on potential litigation the council adjourned at about 7:52 p.m.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance No. 2807 (repeal YBRS surcharge; transfer YBRS water-main replacement funds to water utility fund balance): motion to approve carried (seconded); outcome: approved.

- Ordinance No. 2811 (2025 first-quarter budget amendment, emergency clause): motion to approve carried (seconded); outcome: approved.

- Ordinance No. 2812 (McHugh boundary-line adjustment / annexation to allow sewer construction): motion to approve carried (seconded); outcome: approved.

- Resolution No. 1841 (Enumclaw School District interlocal agreement — SRO): motion to approve carried (seconded); outcome: approved. Key detail: annual district payment $70,583; agreement extends through 2027–28 school year.

- Resolution No. 1842 (Interlocal cooperative services with Enumclaw Fire Department for jail medical transports): motion to approve carried (seconded); outcome: approved. Key detail: agreement waives outstanding fees as of the effective date and states neither party will charge the other for services described.

- Natural gas hedge authorization (purchase 10% of average gas load for Nov 2025–Mar 2026 at $5.70/decatherm or better): motion carried (seconded); outcome: approved.

What happens next

Staff will implement the ordinance and ILA provisions: the YBRS surcharge account will be closed and funds transferred to the water utility fund; the city will proceed with sewer construction planning for the annexed McHugh properties; the SRO and fire transport agreements become operative as written; and administration is authorized to execute the specified gas purchase if market conditions meet the stated price threshold.