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 customers, and King County charges make up a large portion of a Bellevue residential sewer bill. Lucy Liu said Bellevue’s payments to King County “represent more than half of the typical residential sewer bill.” The 2026 proposal would raise the monthly charge for a single‑family equivalent (one RCE) from $58.28 in 2025 to $62.66 in 2026, a 7.5% increase in WTD’s proposal. WTD also proposes a roughly 2.5% increase in the one‑time capacity (buy‑in) charge for new connections, from about $76.09 to $77.99.

What drove the numbers: WTD told the council it expanded its forecast from 10 to 20 years and updated project cost estimates for large programs, including work required under the CSO (combined sewer overflow) consent decree. The “mouth of the Duwamish” CSO project is the largest single driver cited by Gural; council members and staff said that project’s updated cost estimate and other regulatory costs are the main reason the near‑term rate path is steeper than previous forecasts. Councilmember Conrad Lee said Bellevue supports sending a letter and asked WTD for more information about regional engagement: “How will you engage with our cities and community members on this update to the regional wastewater service plan?”

Council concerns and requests: Council members asked WTD to produce clearer, earlier forecasts and to explore ways to smooth spikes so cities can plan capital finances and customer assistance. Bellevue staff recommended the letter ask King County to: acknowledge affordability impacts, share long‑term forecasts early and transparently, refine forecasting methodology, plan based on realistically achievable schedules, and prioritize regular asset assessments. Several councilmembers urged the county to pursue federal and other external funding—WTD said it is using programs such as WIFIA and would welcome more federal support.

Financial scale and program details: Gural presented the division’s multi‑billion‑dollar capital program and how it is funded by a mix of cash, bonds and federal loans. He said the program is large — on the order of hundreds of millions per year now and projected to grow — and that asset values and debt are expected to rise materially over the forecast horizon. Gural also noted known unknowns (examples include nutrient rules and contaminants such as PFAS) that could add cost when clarified by regulators or litigation outcomes.

Council action: The council voted to direct staff to prepare a letter communicating Bellevue’s position on the proposed 2026 sewer rate, the long‑term rate path, and the importance of the Regional Wastewater Services Plan update. The motion was made from the dais and passed by voice vote; the clerk recorded the ayes and no opposition only (voice vote), with no roll‑call tally in the public record.

What’s next: Bellevue staff will draft the letter and return to council with the proposed text. WTD staff said they will continue to engage Bellevue and other contract cities as the RWSP update and project cost estimates evolve. The county council must adopt the 2026 charge by law before July 1 for it to take effect Jan. 1, 2026.

The briefing and council discussion focused on technical forecasts and regional cost drivers rather than changes to local utility policy. Councilmembers emphasized the need for information Bellevue can use to preserve ratepayer affordability and urged pursuit of federal and other grant/loan opportunities to lower customer impacts.