Thurston County public works proposes modest rate increases for utilities, stormwater, solid waste and noxious weed assessments

Thurston County Public Works presented proposed rate and fee adjustments for the 2026–27 budget cycle for water and sewer utilities, stormwater, solid waste and the county’s noxious weed assessment. The proposal advances previously modeled rate consolidation and capital plans and will move forward through the county’s budget and public‑hearing processes.

Public Works Director Tim Wilson and utility managers told commissioners the adjustments are modest and are the next step in implementing a blended rate schedule that aims to achieve uniform utility rates by 2028. The water and sewer adjustments are part of a consolidation implemented in 2024 and include both modest increases and decreases depending on service area; for a typical Boston Harbor residential customer using about 700 cubic feet per month, staff cited an example increase of about $6.50 per month.

Stormwater rates were recommended following a comprehensive stormwater study; the staff recommended an 8% increase in 2026 (base rate) with no capital rate increase proposed in 2026, noting the effective household impact would be modest on an annual basis.

Solid waste rates include the most significant adjustments because the county’s last comprehensive increase was in 2012 and CPI has risen substantially since then. Public Works said the proposal models a multi‑year approach to support current service levels and planned capital investments (including waste recovery reconfiguration and a potential South County transfer station). The proposal would raise the organics tip fee from $45 per ton (2012 rate) to $75 per ton in 2026 and $90 per ton in 2027; staff said the contract processing cost for organics is roughly $77 per ton and that the proposal aims to reduce the county subsidy of that service. Public Works noted comparative county rates and outreach done with local haulers and the City of Olympia; LeMay provided an example estimate of a $1.30 monthly customer increase for a 65‑gallon trash service.

Public Works also presented a proposed 25% increase for the noxious weed assessment in 2026 with no change in 2027. Staff noted a statutorily prescribed process for that assessment, that a public hearing was held on June 23 with no comments, and that the noxious weed board recommended the increase.

Staff said next steps include posting proposed rates on the county website, including information in billing inserts and newsletters, continuing outreach with haulers and partner cities, filing required materials for solid waste rate changes with the state (Utility and Transportation Commission filing requirement noted), and incorporating the proposed changes into the county budget process. Public Works told commissioners there will be a public hearing (special in December) as part of the deliberations. No formal votes on the proposed rates were taken at this meeting.

Direct quotations in this article are drawn from the presentation and the exchange recorded in the meeting transcript.