Bellevue council asks King County for clearer, more predictable sewer-rate path after proposed 2026 increase

Bellevue City Council members on Tuesday asked King County for clearer, earlier and more detailed information about a proposed 2026 sewer rate increase and a newly extended 20-year forecast that would raise regional wastewater costs for Bellevue ratepayers.

The council met with Cameron Gural, director of King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD), and Lucy Liu, Bellevue’s director of utilities, who reviewed WTD’s proposed 2026 rate and the longer-term capital program driving projected increases. After the presentation the council voted to direct city staff to prepare a letter to the King County Council with Bellevue’s feedback.

The request reflects concern that near-term regulatory projects and an expanding capital program are producing steep year‑to‑year increases and that cities and customers need steady, predictable rate paths to plan and afford them. “That is a mega project. There are higher costs,” WTD Director Cameron Gural said, referring to investments required by combined‑sewer‑overflow compliance and other regulatory work.

Why this matters: Bellevue passes through King County wastewater charges to local sewer…