County to Hold Public Hearing March 18 on Woodard Place Water Company Franchise

Public Works asked the Thurston County Board of County Commissioners to set a public hearing for March 18 to consider a non-exclusive franchise for Woodard Place Water Company to construct and maintain a water-distribution line that would run beneath South Bay Road (20 Sixth Avenue) to connect a residence to a community well system across the roadway.

Staff explained a franchise agreement is required any time a utility installs facilities under county roadways; the agreement indemnifies the county and sets long-term requirements for operation and maintenance. In this case, the community well system already serves properties on one side of the road and the proposed franchise would allow an existing residence across the street to be connected via an underground line that had not been properly franchised previously.

Commissioners asked for plain-language clarification and staff explained the house across the street was already connected informally and the franchise regularizes and upgrades the arrangement so county indemnification and long-term maintenance responsibilities are set. Public Works said the item would be set for public hearing on March 18 so neighbors and other interested parties can comment.

No final decision was made at the Feb. 11 agenda-setting session; the hearing will give the public an opportunity to weigh in before commissioners consider approval or denial of the franchise.