Pierce County adopts 10-year franchise for Shore Acres Water Company

Pierce County on Feb. 18 adopted an ordinance authorizing a 10‑year franchise for Shore Acres Water Company to construct, operate and maintain water pipeline facilities in county rights-of-way on the unincorporated Gig Harbor Peninsula.

"Before the council this afternoon is a proposal that would authorize the executive to execute a 10 year franchise agreement with the Shore Acres Water Company," said Mr. Swanson, planning and public works staff, in a briefing explaining that Shore Acres operates a Group A water system on the unincorporated portion of the Gig Harbor Peninsula. Planning and public works staff reviewed the application against the coordinated water system plan and found it consistent; the county engineer recommended granting the franchise.

Staff reported Shore Acres serves an estimated 540 residential customers on about 230 connections; the applicant paid a $2,500 application fee and both fiscal and equity analyses were included in the council packet. The economic and infrastructure development committee held a public hearing the prior week and forwarded the proposal with a due-pass recommendation. No members of the public spoke at the council public hearing on Feb. 18.

Councilmember Denson moved to adopt the ordinance (O2025-501); the motion was seconded (second not specified) and adopted by roll call 7–0. The ordinance authorizes the county executive to execute the franchise agreement on the county’s standard terms, and staff indicated the franchise is nonexclusive. The clerk recorded the roll call as seven ayes and zero nays.

The ordinance text and a map of the Shore Acres service area are in the council packet; planning staff said the system was reviewed under the coordinated water system plan and that the county engineer recommended approval.